AWARD-WINNING No. 99 Autumn 2013

www.camrabristol.org.uk INTS WES Multi-award-winning magazine of the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale P (incorporating the Bath & Borders Branch) T The New Bristol Brewers PINTS WEST Champion Beer of Britain 2013 Elland 1872 Porter crowned Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival Awards too for our local Cotswold Spring and Butcombe Breweries

fter a year of local tasting panels and regional heats leading up our Champion Winter Beer has gone on to win the Champion Beer of to the finals, CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, was proud to Britain competition.” Aannounce that Elland 1872 Porter is crowned the ‘Best Beer’ in Michael Wynnyczuk, Head Brewer at Elland, had this to say: “I’m Britain at the Great British Beer Festival, Olympia, London. utterly shocked. It’s a great beer but after we won the Winter Ales com- The West Yorkshire-brewed real ale was judged the Supreme petition you wonder about it in the summer Great British Beer Festival Champion over a host of other finalists in seven different beer categories competition, as people may prefer different styles of beer in warmer (Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, Winter Beers, weather. But we know it’s a great beer and we’re really proud to be and the Speciality class), including beers from both small microbrewers crowned Champion Beer of Britain.” and large regional brewers. This year’s Silver went to Buntingford Twitchell, whilst the Bronze Colin Valentine, Chair of the competition and CAMRA Chairman, award went Fyne Ales Jarl. spoke in praise of the winner. He said: “It was a really tough decision And congratulations to two of our local breweries, Cotswold Spring but Elland 1872 Porter is a fantastic beer and a well deserved win- who won Silver in the Mild category for their Old Sodbury Mild (or ner. A 6.5% ABV, rich and strongly flavoured porter with flavours of OSM), and Butcombe who won Bronze in the Bitter category for their coffee and dark chocolate, this result makes it two years in a row that Bitter.

The results in full Overall winners Gold: Elland – 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire) Silver: Buntingford – Twitchell (Hertfordshire) Bronze: Fyne Ales – Jarl (Argyll) Category winners Mild category Gold: Great Orme – Welsh Black (Conwy) Silver: Cotswold Spring – Old Sodbury Mild (Gloucestershire) Bronze: Fernandes – Malt Shovel Mild (West Yorkshire)

Bitter category Gold: Buntingford – Twitchell (Hertfordshire) Silver: Moor – Revival (Somerset) Joint Bronze: Butcombe – Bitter (Somerset) Joint Bronze: Surrey Hills – Ranmore Ale (Surrey)

Best Bitter category Wanted: people Gold: Mordue – Workie Ticket (North Shields) Silver: Surrey Hills – Shere Drop (Surrey) Joint Bronze: Purple Moose – Glaslyn (Gwynedd) Joint Bronze: Woodfordes – Nelsons Revenge (Norfolk) to taste beer!

Golden Ale category o you enjoy tasting beer? Of course you do, you’re reading Gold: Fyne Ales – Jarl (Argyll) Pints West! But do you really enjoy tasting beer: savouring the Silver: Buntingford – Polar Star (Hertfordshire) Ddifferent malts, understanding the different hops and seeing how Bronze: St Austell – Proper Job (Cornwall) it all blends into the wonderful variety of ales we all enjoy? If you do, you might be interested in getting involved with the Bristol and District Strong Bitter category CAMRA tasting panel. Gold: Beeston – On the Huh (Norfolk) The tasting panel don’t only drink for fun; we taste and discuss the Silver: Marble – Dobber (Greater Manchester) ales before we write the beer descriptions for the Good Beer Guide. As Bronze: Castle Rock – Screech Owl (Nottingham) with the rest of the Good Beer Guide, and lots of CAMRA’s other activi- Speciality Beer category ties, the tasting panel are all volunteers with a passion for sampling ale. Gold: Growler Brewery, Nethergate – Umbel Magna (Suffolk) The Bristol and District Branch is well served with 11 breweries and Silver: Saltaire – Triple Chocolate (West Yorkshire) the tasting panel sample and describe over 45 beers that are produced Bronze: Conwy – Honey Fayre (Conwy) between all 11 breweries. So that we give an accurate description we aim to have each beer tasted by at least three tasting panel members and Champion Winter Beer of Britain (from category winners to have had reports on the beer throughout the year. So as you can see announced in January 2013) we need a healthy number of volunteers. Elland – 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire) Being on the tasting panel is fun and full training is provided Bartram’s – Comrade Bill Bartram’s EAIS Stout (Suffolk) (we’ll be running a workshop for newcomers in the Autumn). We meet Kelburn – Dark Moor (Old Ale/Strong Mild) (Glasgow) regularly to sample beers and write the descriptions, often having lively Hog’s Back – A over T (Barley Wine/Strong Old Ale) (Surrey) discussions about brewing processes, flavour balances and beer history as we try to reach agreement. Before you know it you’ll be talking about Champion Bottled Beer of Britain winners mouthfeel, noting the difference between East Kent Goldings and Sora- Gold: Molson Coor’s – Worthington White Shield (Burton on chi hops and enthusing about the pale or roasted malt. If you think you Trent) might be interested in joining the tasting panel then please get in touch Joint silver: St Austell – Proper Job (Cornwall) with Chris Rogers by emailing [email protected] or via Twitter Bronze: Harvey’s – Imperial Extra Double Stout (East Sussex) (@CAMRABristol). Helen Featherstone Page 2 PINTS WEST Meet the New Bristol Brewers “We luvs what we does!” here is a new brewery in town – and it’s called the New Bristol Brewery! Brothers TNoel and Tom James (and the brewery dog Joss) set up their modest five-barrel brewery – crammed into a tiny industrial unit in St Pauls, near Portland Square – just a few months ago. Noel’s background in brewing started in Cornwall, where he enjoyed designing his beers on a 100-litre set-up. But being from Bristol, he was thrilled when he was offered the position of assistant brewer with the Great Western Brewing Company in Hambrook. Having honed his skills there, he decided it was time, with brother Tom, to start a brewery of their own. Their New Bristol Brewery has allowed the brothers to work together producing a product they love. Tom’s background in cabinet making has absolutely nothing to do with brewing, but Noel says he has learnt fast and was responsible for producing their recent beer Angry Tom, a dry-hopped IPA at 5.9%. l 365 – an everyday standing-up bitter brewed to a strength of 4.0%. It’s not all been plain sailing – no new venture ever is – but it has l Flame – India red ale brewed to 5.2%. been rewarding. As Noel said: “It’s been a struggle to find time to brew, l Beer du Jour – a pale ale at 4.6%. market and deliver all at once, but it’s a nice problem to have!” l Super Deluxe Stout – caramelised dark sugar, vanilla pods, cold When asked about their beer styles, Noel commented: “We don’t see pressed coffee, lactose, 7.0%. ourselves as maverick brewers, but we do like to tease the boundaries of l Angry Tom – a dry-hopped ‘Dr Rudi IPA’ at 5.9%. traditional brewing sometimes. l Oolala – an amber ale with French Aramis hops, 4.0%. “Our Super Deluxe Stout or our India red ale Flame would not be At the time of writing, their beer labels are being designed, which classed as true to style by purists but we think they’re awesome. Noel says they are very excited about, “not least because it means we “In the same breath we also understand that sometimes you may just can finally start bottling.” want a tasty traditional beer like our 365, an everyday standing-up beer.” Noel finished by saying: “We’ve been welcome with open arms New Bristol Brewery beers have made appearances, and are likely by customers and brewers alike and that’s a great feeling. It’s a great to do so again, at such Bristol pubs as the Cornubia, the Seven Stars, the industry to be involved in and one which is unique.” Volunteer Tavern, the Full Moon, the Shakespeare Tavern and the Barley SP Mow, to name but a few. New Bristol Brewery, 20a Wilson Street, Bristol BS2 9HH Their beer line up (as described by Noel) includes: Mobile: 07837 976 871 Web: www.newbristolbrewery.co.uk

WYE’S WORDS No. 12 AMBER ALERT

PINT OF BUTTY AT NIGHT, “ DRINKER’S DELIGHT ” Otter Amber. One to watch out for from the Butty Bach is a Welsh term for little friend – and Good Pub Guide’s 2013 Brewery of the Year this smooth and satisfying premium ale has certainly made a few friends in its time. Brewed using locally grown Fuggles, Goldings and Bramling Cross hops, Butty continues to delight new fans and old followers in equal measure. 4.5% ABV www.WyeValleyBrewery.co.uk SHARE OUR TASTE FOR REAL LIFE www.otterbrewery.com

Page 3 PINTS WEST New openings: While threat of closure still hangs over many pubs, Bristol has recently seen several new openings or re-openings in the city centre, Clifton and Cotham, each with a distinct focus and all making real ale and real cider a key feature.

The Beer Emporium ne of two new openings on King Street, the Beer Emporium is The pub is open until 2am every day except Sundays (open until mid- reached via an unassuming entrance opposite the Bristol Old Vic night), with food served until 11pm. Pre-theatre set menus are served from Otheatre. The brainchild of owner Andy Holian, the Beer Emporium 4pm to 7pm, such as two courses and a pint for £12, and roasts feature on is a freehouse occupying three underground vaulted brick cellar ‘tunnels’, Sundays. The lunch and dinner menus are extensive and include British with a long bar and plenty of comfortable seating in two of them, and a tapas (very tasty on our visit). Vegetarian options are available. Cornish full kitchen in the third. The intention is to offer around eight real ales fish and seafood also feature. After 11pm, you can still accompany your during the week, with capacity for up to twelve at weekends. Regulars drinks with one of the bar snack boards. include beers from local brewers Arbor Ales and the Bristol Beer Factory. Access to the cellars is via a richly carved staircase or the lift. Inside The house beer – Bristol Milk – a 4.1% pale ale, is from George Wright the upstairs entrance, a small tasting bar and off-license for bottled beers Brewery in St Helen’s. On my last visit, ales included Otley Thai-Bo, is nearing completion. Wifi is free and there is a quiz on Monday nights, Grain Best Bitter and Aldgates Gin Pit. Orchard Pig cider is also available with 15% off all drinks. Tuesday is open mic night and live music hap- on handpump. pens on various dates. Check out the website at thebeeremporium.net This is Andy’s first venture into the pub trade; with partners Steve and for regularly updated beer lists and other news; better still, call into this Paul, he is focusing on featuring independent breweries from the UK and welcoming, stylish addition to the Bristol real ale scene and sample all it overseas. Twelve keg taps include Belgian favourites such as Chimay, and has to offer. Lesly Huxley Andy intends to expand the bottled range from the current 120! The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer he Volley on King Street has re-opened as a freehouse with a fresh should be up and running as a restaurant by early October. A fresh coat of new look both on the bar and in the décor. The lack of clips on the white and pale grey paint on the walls and woodwork, and a new wood Tgleaming new handpumps may initially suggest that no real ale is floor throughout, pull it all together, although the wonky ceilings, iron served. However, a look to the boards on the right of the bar will confirm supports and slightly incongruous snob screens of old are still in evidence. the availability of up to eight real ales, plus keg beers and real cider. The pub is managed by Alex Major and assistant Alex Evans. Open Strength (ABV), style and dispense are all listed together with price. The from noon to midnight Sunday to Thursday, and noon to 1am Fridays and focus here is specifically on British microbreweries, both on the bar and in Saturdays, there is live music in the front bar area Fridays and Saturdays, bottles. On my last visit, ales included offerings from Thornbridge, Arbor and food is available noon to 3pm and 6pm to 9.30pm. and Dark Star, three of my favourite brewers. Even the spirits have a UK The Volley went through a sad period of decline before being closed touch, with even a Welsh single malt – for several months. It is now a much refreshed and welcome addition Penderley – available. Real ciders are to the real ale scene in King Street, and the city centre in general. Their sourced from the Bristol Cider Shop fledgling website at www.navyvolunteer.co.uk provides bottled beer list on Christmas Steps, with keg versions and sample menus, but the best way to support the Alexes’ good start is to from further afield. pay a visit in person. Lesly Huxley The large, grade II listed building dates from the 1600s. Any refurbishment was therefore unlikely to involve any major structural change and the pub retains its attractive front windows, long front bar area, and rear sitting rooms. The right-hand side

Page 4 PINTS WEST The Somerset House uly and August were clearly good months for pub re-openings. The Somer- set House on Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, joins recent additions in the Jcity centre. It has undergone a serious and much-needed makeover from dark and tired boozer to elegant and airy pub and kitchen. There are generally four cask ales on the bar, sourced mainly from Caledonian and including XPA and Deuchars. The ‘Somerset’ house beer is Cally 80 Shilling. The place feels far more welcoming and relaxing: the façade is freshly painted, the arched windows are retained but now double-glazed and a wall of glass has replaced the dark entrance corridor. The front bar area still has wooden floors, but is now furnished with an eclectic mix of leather armchairs, what look like old draughtsman stools and wooden chairs and tables. The whole place features more different styles of ceiling, wall the noise levels are somehow much lower than in similar places. and free-standing lights The rear area features Marc’s open kitchen and is set out for din- than many lighting ing. Reports on the food are good. Further restaurant space is planned shops offer but they upstairs (the toilets are now upstairs too). contribute to the light The Somerset House is now a place to while away a couple of (but not too bright) hours of pleasant conversation in relaxed surroundings, with a small but atmosphere. Although quality range of ales or as a venue for interesting menus. Their website there is a lot of wood at somersethouseclifton.com is pretty and features a sample menu, but and not much in the requires the latest in java-doings which makes mobile viewing annoy- way of soft furnishings, ing. Forget the internet and experience it in person! Lesly Huxley The Cotham Porter Stores he Cotham Porter Stores had been standing closed for most of the There is also time since before last Christmas, with prospects looking bleak, but a cool cabinet Thas now been rescued by Wickwar Brewery. They have acquired the accommodating pub and, following some sympathetic remedial work, reopened it towards four casks for the end of August. The pub’s layout remains unaltered, but there is now a gravity-fed beer. brand new smart-looking bar back, and the redecoration gives the place a On opening much brighter atmosphere. night these were Running the pub is Simon Angus (with daughter Emilie) who people mostly Wickwar may recognise from Wickwar’s other Bristol pub, the White Lion on the seasonals, but Centre. Simon talked about how Wickwar intends to keep the pub as a tra- in future will ditional boozer. “We’re very keen to promote the traditional public house. also feature A lot of people were relieved that we reopened as a pub and not as a shop guest beers from or restaurant.” other breweries. The pub used to be famous for its cider, and cider lovers need not Planned ones worry as they will still be catered for. Alongside the real ales are two include Crouch Vale, Titanic and Burton Bridge, though with more of an handpumps dedicated to cider, namely Thatcher’s Traditional and Ched- emphasis on local breweries later on. dar Valley. These may change though depending on demand. As for the There is limited room for food preparation, but simple fayre such as ales, there are three Wickwar beers on the bar, Bob (£3.30 a pint), Real soup, chilli and rolls may soon make an appearance. Opening hours are 11 Stout (£3.10) and Coopers (£2.80). The Stout and Coopers are dispensed to 11 Mondays to Thursdays, 11 to 11.30 Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 to from handpumps and also, from the same cask, chilled and via tall fonts. 10.30 or 11 Sundays. SP

The Stable (new real cider and perry venue) he Stable opened next to the Watershed in July, the third in the Angler pizzas Dorset-based company’s ‘cathedrals of cider’ promising ‘ciders, very well. The Tpizzas, pies’. On a recent visit, we counted 24 real ciders and two Orchard Pig perries in boxes on the purpose-built stillage behind the bar. Mostly from Navelgazer is medium- and large-scale producers, all are priced at £3.80 a pint. There’s another clear, a drinks list on the long bench tables, but at least on our visit this didn’t dry cider. I’d entirely reflect what was available. You therefore need good eyesight to not come across read the often quite small box labels for maker, name and strength, or ask the Sandford one of the ‘stablehands’ for advice. An alternative is the taster board, a Orchards’ Old pre-set menu of five small glasses in a wooden stand for £7.50, three of Kirton from them real still ciders, two fizzy keg, including one ‘pear cider’ [sic]. There Devon before. are several keg taps on the bar, alongside St Austell’s Proper Job real ale Pressed through straw, this is cloudy and with a really nice dry finish. The on handpump. Fosseway Somerset Glory Dry (clear) and Oliver’s Dry (pale and cloudy) We stuck to halves of the real stuff: Lyme Bay Jack Ratt Vintage, at cut through the oily smoked mackerel and smoked salmon on our (very 7.4%, was a strong starter (I don’t have good enough eyesight!), clear, on tasty) pizzas very nicely. the slightly medium side of dry, it was very drinkable. Everything else The Stable is a large and open space with original cast iron pillars, long we tried was 6%. Thatcher’s Cheddar Valley was cloudy, but not quite the glass frontage and lots of wood furnishings and décor. A pleasant place to familiar bright orange with natural sparkle and tasted more like a medium- while away a few hours sampling a good range of real cider and perry, and sweet apple juice of the non-fermented kind, though pleasant enough. a welcome contrast to the many national chain bars along the waterfront. Our second and third courses matched our thin and crispy Avonmouth Lesly Huxley Page 5 PINTS WEST The Red Lion hile too many pubs a week are calling “last orders” and shutting down, one of Bristol’s oldest has kicked the trend Wand re-opened. The Red Lion off Blackboy Hill, which first opened in 1865, is a pub again after a period as a wine bar. The pub is located in Worrall Road not far from the Clifton Downs, and is part of a terrace looking down on the city. For licensee Nick Russell, who ran it previously for eight years and has returned to take charge again, it’s a dream come true. Nick explained how things had come about for him. “The smoking ban, and breweries selling to supermarkets at far under the prices they were charging landlords, was killing the trade,” he claimed. “When I left there simply wasn’t a way those of us in an average community pub could make a living. We were losing money every week and the local was at risk of disappearing. Times have changed and old customers have come to realise how much they have missed having somewhere to drop in for a drink and a chat.” The pub was part of the life of this part of Bristol for so many years, with a meeting room on the first floor for concerts, and somewhere local is back in business as the local. It’s no longer tied into a pub company people could meet and discuss what was happening to their neighbour- but is now a free house enabling Nick to seek out interesting beers and hood. It was the heart of the Victorian community here and that was still wines of his and his customers’ choosing. the case for subsequent generations. Beers featured since reopening include Jail Ale (4.8%) and Legend Nick went on to say, “Coming back into the trade is a gamble but (4.4%), both from the Dartmoor Brewery; Sharpe’s Cornish Coaster, a I’ve been looking for the right opportunity for some time and when tasty 3.6% session beer; and Lion (4%) from the Hook Norton brewery my old pub became available I couldn’t resist. It’s an area very much in Oxfordshire. with its own community and we have a fairly tight-knit group of bars in The pub has a flagged stoned floor in the bar and has an area at the walking distance of each other.” back which is quite intimate. There are a couple of TVs which feature Nick views on the smoking ban – now several years on – are philo- big sporting events but generally do not impact on the ambiance. This is sophical: “Attitudes have changed too. There was a lot of opposition to a good pub to go to for a social chat and a few beers. It is great to see it the smoking ban. I don’t smoke but always thought there was room for open again and Nick must be congratulated in making this move. Let’s the old smokers’ bar with proper ventilation but the ban is now generally hope that the people of BS8 and beyond support it so that it can remain accepted – and is beneficial. as a pub for the future. “For me the pub is a natural institution and the rebirth of local brew- Pete Bridle eries with their distinctive flavours is the way ahead. We are surviving The Red Lion is in an area with the good fortune to still have several pubs. So, and will flourish despite lack of support from Westminster.” why not join the Bristol Pubs Group who are leading a pub crawl in the area? There have been some changes at the Red Lion to help make the pub See the Branch diary inside the back page for details. more viable. The upstairs is now private accommodation, but the bar The Crofters Rights round the beginning of August, the venue that was formerly known as the Croft Bar on Stokes Croft reopened as the Croft- Aer’s Rights. This is most welcome for an area that in recent years has lost pubs such as the Bristol Tavern and the Magic Box. For those with a bit of memory, the Crofters Rights is situated in the building that has gone through many changes including being known as Mozart’s (although I am not aware that much music from the maestro having been played there), Ross Brew House and, for the last 10 years or so, the Croft, which has been a popular music venue. The people behind the Crofters Rights are also responsible for the Lanes in central Bristol, and the Euston Tap and the Holborn Whippet, both in London. The place has had something of a transformation and, as well as many alterations to the building, the emphasis is very much on beer – adding to the burgeoning beer scene in the Bristol area. The pub is quite spacious with wooden floorboards, stone and brick walls, and a spiral metal staircase down to the loos that is akin to the White Lion on the centre – although not quite as narrow! beer, its strength and price. A range of keg beer is also on sale as well as The place has been stripped back to basics and makes for a decent cider including an offering from Orchard Pig. drinking environment. As well as the main bar area, there is a separate In the words of one of the guys behind the operation, “We aim to room at the rear that will be used for live music at weekends. There provide the best beer in town by selecting the best breweries, serving is also a small outside drinking area towards the rear of the pub. One them at a good price and selling them quickly!” unusual feature of the main bar is a stepped seating arrangement that The pub also aims to provide good entertainment and come Septem- affords a decent view of the bar area and I am sure will be a popular ber there will be a space for the local community to hire out mid-week feature in the pub. to be used for events such as club nights, theatre, cinema, vintage fairs Back to those beers. The Crofters Rights currently has up to five real and more! ales on offer – including one that currently sells for below £3 a pint. The With other decent real ale pubs in the area such as the Hare on the beers are sourced from decent small breweries across the UK including Hill, the Hillgrove, the Bell and the Canteen, the prospects for discern- some local representation. They are not generally the “usual suspects” ing drinkers has possibly never been better in and around Stokes Croft. which is good news. All the beers are served from taps behind the count- Why not embark on a little pub crawl? er on the bar back. The real ales can be identified as they are dispensed Pete Bridle from wood effect taps. The beer range on offer at any given time is The Crofter’s Rights,17-119 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3RW chalked up behind the beer taps and includes details of the brewery, the Opening hours 17:00 till late 7 days a week Page 6 PINTS WEST Giving out the awards n Tuesday 18th June local members joined Bristol & District branch chairman Richard Brooks in the arduous task of taking Oa tour around four excellent Bristol & District pubs to make a number of presentations to publicans and brewers. These were the winner and runner-up of the branch Pub of the Year competition (the Plough at Congresbury and the Seven Stars respectively) and to the Three Tuns and the Barley Mow to meet with brewers and present the winner and runner-up of our LocAle of the Festival competition (Arbor Ales and the Bristol Beer Factory respectively).

The evening started off at the Seven Stars, where Paul Wratten and Darren Kay received their certificate for being runner-up branch Pub of the Year. Darren commented that “They were grateful that all their hard work had been recognised”. We then moved on to the recently refurbished Barley Mow, St Philips where Chris Kay and Simon Bartlett (plus Steve, Bob, Darius and Jonny) from the Bristol Beer Factory received their certificate for Bristol Beer Factory Southville Hop being runner-up in the LocAle of Presentation at the Seven Stars, Pub of the Year runner-up the Festival competition at the 2013 Bristol Beer Festival. Simon com- mented that “We are always proud to feature so highly in the CAMRA Bristol Beer Festival. It’s such a great event that to come in the top two so regularly is brilliant news”.

Presentation at the Barley Mow (Bristol Beer Factory) Presentation at the Pub of the Year, the Plough in Congresbury Next we went to the Three Tuns where Jon Comer received the cer- tificate forArbor Ales Yakima Valley winning LocAle of the Festival at the 2013 Bristol Beer Festival. Simon Calcraft (manager of the Three Tuns) is also pictured with the certificate for Arbor Ales Oyster Stout winning Bronze in the Speciality category of the South West Regional stage of the Champion Beer of Britain Competition. Finally we made the journey to the Plough at Congresbury where Garry Polledri and his wife Charlotte were very pleased to receive the certificate for winning Bristol & District branch Pub of the Year. Gary said “I’d like to mention all the people at CAMRA that voted for us, I’d like to give a big thanks to all the staff especially my manager Mike Thomson and Tom Griffiths, as well as the head chef Nikki Newhill, Sharon Bailey for making the cake, and the bar staff Micah Searle, Will Poole ad my wife Charlotte. We’d also like to thank all of our customers that have helped us to achieve this.” The cake was indeed impressive and we would like to extend our congratulations to all the winners and our thanks for their hospitality on what turned out to be splendid evening. Richard Brooks Presentation at the Three Tuns (Arbor Ales) (Group photos by Tony Durbin) Page 7 PINTS WEST Cask Ale Week / Bristol Beer Week ask Ale Week, supported by CAMRA, is and a annual celebra- l Sunday 6th October: Meet at the Bag of Nails, St Georges Road tion of our national drink (that’s beer, not tea!) when we encourage (BS1 5UW) at 2pm, then on to the Three Tuns, No.1 Harbourside, people to go out and try some real ale. This year it runs from 27th and then the Naval Volunteer and the Beer Emporium in King CSeptember until 6th October 2013 and the theme is the “Great Big Taste Street. Challenge”. You can check out the national Cask Ale Week website for is a new, independent initiative that details of events: www.caskaleweek.co.uk. ristol Beer Week runs from 3rd October to 9th October 2013. It is described as The Bristol & District branch are running a couple of walking pub “a celebration of everything beery in the West Country” and tours around a selection of central Bristol pubs which will be an excellent Brather like Cask Ale Week encourages pubs and breweries to organise opportunity to try a range of cask ales. Please come and join us, or if you’re their own events. not available you can try the route yourself another day. Incredible though Although Bristol Beer Week is not specifically focused on real it seems, apparently nearly 50% of adults in the UK have not tried real cask ale, CAMRA of course supports activity that promotes our local pubs ale. If you know one of these unfortunate people please bring them along, or and breweries. As the dates of Bristol Beer Week overlap with Cask at least encourage them to give real ale a taste during Cask Ale Week. Ale Week we are happy for the pub crawls listed above to be con- l Thursday 3rd October: Meet at the Barley Mow, St Philips (BS2 sidered as being part of both events. You can find more information 0LF) at 7pm, then on to the Volunteer Tavern (BS2 9DX), the Bridge Inn, about Bristol Beer Week at www.bristolbeerweek.co.uk. Passage Street, the Cornubia, and finish at the Seven Stars. Richard Brooks News from the Gorge em Ham and his team at the Cheddar Ales brewery were happy to receive yet another award recently, this time the 2012/2013 Bronze award, from CAMRA South West JRegion, for their Cheddar Potholer in the ‘Real Ale in a Bottle’ category. Trade at the brewery continues to be well up on last year despite the hot, cider- drinking weather and as a result a new sales position has been filled.They have also had a student working during the summer holidays helping to keep up with demand. Some contract brewing and bottling has been undertaken successfully on behalf of two other fledgling breweries as yet without their own equipment or premises.The brewery staff are proud to be able to help other breweries where they can and especially to be able to brew different styles of beer that they wouldn’t necessarily brew themselves. They believe this can only have a positive effect for the pubs and their drinkers. As mentioned in past edition, the big event of the year, the Cheddar Ales Barn Dance and hog roast, will be held on Saturday 5th October from 8pm till midnight, and tickets are available from the brewery. See their website www.cheddarales.co.uk for full details. Bob Reynolds News from Dawkins Ales (and pubs) fter much experimentation the Dawkins brewers Dave and Krishna have started bottling. All done on a small scale by hand, Aand bottle-conditioned, the Resolution IPA, Crystal Gold and Alederflower have reportedly gone down very well in pubs and in stores such as Corks of Cotham. An online store is planned. Back last year Jubeerlee was the Diamond Jubilee celebratory brew, uniquely made with ingredients from across the Commonwealth. Two casks of this 6.0% ABV rum stout were kept back in a dark corner of the brewery. One was released on draught at the Green Man pub in Kingsdown in August where the year’s maturation had worked very well; rich, vibrant and fresh tasting but an even greater depth of flavour. The second cask has been bottled, presented in a limited edition wooden box. Just 60 of these have been released for sale from September. The brewery and pubs will be heavily involved in both ‘National Cask Ale Week’ and the following ‘Bristol Beer Week’. A special ale will be made for the latter event. The Dawkins pubs should be hosting a plethora of events to mark the occasions. Other Autumn brews include an English IPA, a Peated Rye and a Hefeweizen wheat beer. Dave is also devising a serious Imperial Stout for his first anniversary as Head Brewer with ingredients such as coffee, chocolate and smoked malt, and using Belgian yeast. And finally, the Green Man, the Dawkins pub in Alfred Place, Kingsdown, will be holding an Autumn Beer Festival this year from 19th to 23rd September. Page 8 PINTS WEST Lots of recognition for Butcombe More Awards for Butcombe beers ing Bristol rugby,” said Once again tasting judges have recognised that Butcombe’s excellent Bristol’s new Director of beers are worthy of special awards. Firstly, Butcombe Bitter won Silver in Rugby, Andy Robinson. the Bitter category of the Champion Beer of Britain South West Regional Butcombe Bitter will competition 2012/2013. Butcombe Bitter then went on to win again at also be available at Bris- Great British Beer Festival in London in the Champion Beer of Britain tol Rovers home games competition; the judge’s panel awarded it Bronze in the Bitter category. at the memorial stadium. The Brewery has also been awarded a Gold medal for Adam Henson’s Rare Breed and a Bronze for Butcombe Gold in the International Beer Butcombe Bytes Challenge 2013. This year’s challenge was the 17th annual event and saw magazine a record number of entries from 33 countries. Guy Newell, Managing The second edition Director of Butcombe Brewery, said: “Each year the competition gets of Butcombe Bytes tougher; it’s very rewarding to see that we are seen to produce the best (the new quarterly beer, not just here in the UK but internationally.” Judges include some E-magazine from Butcombe), is available via their website or alternatively of the shrewdest beer judges in the land – retailers, importers, publicans, sign up through email. Everyone who signs up is in with a chance to win brewers, writers and flavour analysts, plus several highly experienced giveaways such as meals in Butcombe pubs or cases of Butcombe beers. judges from continental Europe to make sure the judging panel has a wide spread of tasting experience. Any medal from the International Beer More information Challenge is cause for celebration. Those that claimed Golds are therefore, For more information please visit www.butcombe.com or follow in the judges’ opinion, exceptional beers that really deserve to be sought Butcombe-Brewery on Facebook or Twitter @ButcombeBrewery. out. Adam Henson’s Rare Breed uses the finest local ingredients, Maris Nigel Morris Otter malting barley, aromatic Herefordshire hops and Mendip spring water, to create this distinctive, refreshing and clean-tasting golden ale. THANK YOU discerning CAMRA! Matthew Pale Ale launched The new permanent ale from Butcombe named Matthew Pale Ale was launched aboard the Matthew, the full-size replica of John Cabot’s ship, which was moored outside the Cottage pub and followed with trips round Bristol harbour on the 12th of June. The beer won a SIBA gold medal in its previous incarna- tion as Mendip Spring and is now available all year round. Matthew Pale Ale is a tantalizingly fresh beer at 3.8% which now joins the three other permanent ales, Butcombe Bitter, Butcombe Gold and Adam Henson’s Rare Breed.

Other beers Great Grey Owl (3.6%) is an American hopped Pale Ale; it was very popular this summer and, as I write, is now in its final month this August. In September, October and November, Haka (4.5%) will be available; this is a New Zealand hopped seasonal beer. It is described as ‘a ferocious Maori bitter with tropical, peachy and grapey flavours’, and these are imparted by the Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. The famous ruby-red Christmas Steps (4.2%) will make its usual appearance again in November.

Date fixed for the Butcombe Brewery Open Day 27th September to 6th October The highly successful Butcombe Brewery Open Day was a great success last year, complete with Celebrating National Cask Ale Week glorious sunshine. This year the event will bigger and & Made in North Somerset better with loads of great Butcombe beer and Ashton Press cider, music, Morris dancing, brewery tours, Why not come along to the annual BUTCOMBE BREWERY OPEN DAY – tractor rides and more. There is also a chance to enjoy Saturday 28th September 11am–3pm delicious food, which is being sold by the Story Meat G Loads of fantastic Butcombe beer & Ashton Press Cider, all Free of Charge G Regular Brewery Tours . . . hosted Company. The date is confirmed as Saturday 28th by the Butcombe Brewers G Mendip Morris Men G Food . . . from the fantastic local Story Meat Company G Tractor Rides . . . and other entertainment September between 11am until 3pm at the Butcombe brewery in Wrington.

Butcombe and Rugby Butcombe is proud to announce a new partnership between the brewery and Bristol Rugby as they seek to get back into the Premiership. Bristol Rugby fans will be able to enjoy home games with a pint of Butcombe Bitter in hand, as the beer has recently been installed G The Lamb – Axbridge G Queens Arms – Bleadon G Colston Yard – Bristol G Malt Shovel – Cannington, nr. Bridgwater G Ring O’ Bells – Hinton Blewett in the bars of the Memorial Stadium in Bristol. “It’s G The Rose & Crown – Hinton Charterhouse, nr. Bath G The Old Crown – Kelston, nr. Bath G Queen Victoria – Priddy G The Cross Keys – Rode, nr. Frome G The Swan – Rowberrow G Bell – Stokes Croft, Bristol G Prince of Wales – Westbury on Trym, Bristol G Woolpack – Worle, Weston-super-Mare G Fox and Hounds, Charlton Adam, near Somerton great to have a local company like Butcombe support- BUTCOMBE BREWERY LTD, COX’S GREEN, WRINGTON, BRISTOL BS40 5PA. Tel: 01934 863963 G www.butcombe.com Page 9 PINTS WEST CAMRA Young Members ell it wasn’t quite the event that was originally planned, but were able to hold meaningful conversations where the for the June CAMRA Young Members’ social we did manage Gryphon came out as top pub for atmosphere, beers Wto get a small gathering on a visit to a few different types of and music. pubs with a variation of beer styles. We had only done half the pubs on the list and al- Seven of us, including two non-members, started at 7.15 pm on ready it was nearly 11.00 pm. Half the party wanted to a Wednesday in the heavy metal pub, the Gryphon near the Colston return to the centre to be near buses, while a hard core Hall, where three milds, a 7% special and loud music were sampled and wanted more loud music and suggested the Hatchet, enjoyed. (I think I was the only one drinking bitter, one of the non- so we all went there for a last couple where Doom Bar members drank draught Asahi). and Courage Best were available as well as the usual fizzy stuff. Close by we visited Zerodegrees, an industrial type brew-pub, In all it turned out to be an enjoyable evening with a variety of where the ‘special’ was mango fruit beer, i.e. the usual one available. discussions held between different factions, an interesting selection of The general consensus was it is a good place to eat, or visit with a large beers tasted and the general agreement reached that we should do it party as there is a lot of space, but those who hadn’t been before were again to complete the other pubs on our original list. not too impressed. It appears that it was a bad time for student participation due to Next, after a bracing walk up St Michael’s Hill, we visited the exam time and post exam exodus; I also got four apologies from people traditional Highbury Vaults, which was quiet inside but the outside who said they would join in next time. However the demographics were garden was full. As there were no smokers in the party we stayed in and good: it was a diverse group in terms of gender and ethnicity, locals and were able to hold good conversations and sample a range of South West people new to the area. beers including a couple of milds again. So thanks to Young Members Regional Coordinator Sarah for Across the road we went into Beerd, the Bath Ales bar loosely sowing the seed – at least we can now say Bristol & District CAMRA styled on a US concept, which sells a range of cask and keg beers. There has a Young Members core prepared to grow the membership. were a couple of Beerd specials (from Bath Ales’ pilot brew kit) and Roy Sanders, Young Members Contact other guests plus about ten keg ales. I don’t remember anyone drink- If any Young Member has an opinion to share or ideas for the next event ing the latter but one guy managed to stay on dark beers. Again we please contact me on [email protected]. Young Members go to the Barley Mow for the blow by blow! Helloooooooooo Bristol! I am new to the city, having recently moved here, and I’ve got to say...I am loving your pubs! And oh boy I have been to a few. The bonus of wandering these lovely streets, searching high and low (literally!) for a humble home, means I have a genuine excuse to sample the delights in each pub that stumbles in my path! One such pub that fell within that lucrative list was the Barley Mow. Stumble it did but unfortunately at the time I wasn’t able to go in. There was a chance that it could have been my local but alas it wasn’t meant to be. The Barley Mow, for the time being, was seemingly set to escape my attention. Well not if the BAD Young Members had anything to do with it as it was the setting for their next social, a ‘Brewers Evening’ provided by the Bristol Beer Factory, which I was kindly invited to. So, I guess I better tell you about the night itself then! After a woeful pint of Brains SA (one of my usual favourites) in a well-known chain pub I was in the mood for a good ale. As the Young Members were not easily identifiable amongst the youthful crowd of people that had gathered for the evening I went straight to the bar and set about choosing a pint from the eight hand pulls and ten keg lines. I went with the flavour of the evening and set- tled on Bristol Beer Factory’s Seven due to its promise of “toffee malt sweet, smooth creaminess went down a treat with everybody at the flavours” – right up my street! table, except me, I’m just not a stout lass I’m afraid (metabolism is still The friendly bar staff pointed out the Young Members so, pint in doing its job!). This just wasn’t going to be my round and I settled for hand, I went to say, “Hiya!” tucking into the biscuit, caramel flavoured malt instead. Yum! Introductions over we were ready to start the evening led by brewer Hopping (sorry!) on to the next lot then and we are presented with Chris. All were handed a sheet with the list of six beers we would be Bristol Beer Factory’s Southville Hop, a heavily hopped IPA which I sampling. Each beer came under a heading as to what they were mostly would usually steer away from due to finding most hoppy ales lacking in associated with. In the order they were to be discussed they were: Water, the full bodied strength that I’m after. BAM! This delicious beer hit me Malt, Hops and Yeast. for six! BBF have done a great job with balancing its tropical fruitiness Out came the samples and I was surprised to find a bottle of with a powerful flavour and likewise with their wheat offering, Hefe Worthington’s White Shield and a lager (Bernard from the Czech whose weighty character comes from a whole host of zesty, tanginess Republic) in front of me. The explanation for this was how the varying such as banana and grapefruit. water types in the different regions of the country will affect the types of This bold beer was the perfect way to culminate an evening of ale/lager that will be produced. All very interesting and I was pleasantly education, fun and gusto! From the knowledgeable brewer, his eager surprised by the Worthington’s which was a dark, amber colour with a audience and the ales brewed with such passion, this evening was an malty, creamy flavour. The lager was good but as with these carbonated absolute winner...Well worth missing England vs. Scotland for! drinks was extremely gassy. Line of the night from Brewer Chris: “When we started brewing On to the malt and three little pots ranging from light to dark were back in Yorkshire...” This earned a hearty “Wooooooooooooooooop!” placed in front of us accompanied by samples of Bristol Beer Factory’s from me and led to me being called a hooligan! Guess that’s the Leeds Seven and Milk Stout. I have to say I was disappointed with the Seven in me. of which I had a pint of earlier. The toffee taste wasn’t really there for Talisha Mills me and the flavour just wasn’t robust enough. However theMilk Stout’s (Barley Mow photos by Jo Sanders) Page 10 PINTS WEST News from the Bristol Beer Factory Awards galore! he Bristol Beer Factory have had a great period of being recognised with awards for their beers, including runner-up TLocAle of the Festival at the 2013 Bristol Beer Festival, Silver in the Stout category of the CAMRA South West Regional Champion Beer of Britain Competition, a total of six accolades at this year’s SIBA South West festival (including best bottled beer for Independence), and six beers featured in CAMRA’s Bottled Beer Guide where five were awarded Gold medals. The grand expansion of the brewery is moving ahead. Three 30-barrel fermentation vessels have been delivered and will soon be followed by a new 30-barrel brew house. This is substantially changing Bristol Beer Factory brewer Chris Kaye (flanked by Darius Darwell the look of the brewery and will enable them to step up production and Jonny Mills) stands in front of their new fermentation vessels and without putting more of a strain on the kit and staff. They have also proudly holds the certificate for Bristol Stout winning Silver in the taken on some new employees. The Bristol Beer Factory report a Stouts category of the South West Regional Champion Beer of Britain continuing rise in bottle sales across the country with a large amount competition. being sent to Yorkshire and London. A glowing Chris (well, it was hot in the brewery) commented that On the pub front, they are very pleased with the refurbishment of the Bristol Beer Factory are renowned for their stouts and the brewery the Barley Mow in St Phillips and consider it to be Bristol’s top ‘craft’ team are always pleased for their hard work to be recognised. beer bar featuring eight hand pumps and ten keg taps. The pub holds a monthly ‘beer appreciation/tap takeover’ event which is free to attend and open to the public. ‘Factoberfest’ this year will be held from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th Bristol Beer Festival 2014 September at the Tobacco Factory in Southville, Bristol where the event is aimed at being enjoyable for all the family. There will be a range of he first planning meeting for the 2014 CAMRA Bristol what they describe as 40 local and ‘craft’ beers running from the Friday TBeer Festival will take place at the Gryphon (Colston evening until the Sunday evening. There will also be some cider and a Street, Bristol, BS1 5AP) on Tuesday 1st October at 8pm. selection of local musicians will be performing on a specially erected We would very much like to see any CAMRA volunteers outside stage and also inside the Tobacco Factory Café Bar. There will that are interested in helping out with organising the also be food stalls and children’s entertainment. Approximate opening festival, which is proposed to happen around the weekend times are 5pm to 11pm on the Friday, noon to 11pm of the Saturday, and of 15th March 2014 at Brunel’s Old Station. noon to 10pm on the Sunday. Richard Brooks

The Bristol Beer Factory brews a wide and diverse range of Craft Beers.

Beers available from www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk - The Brewery Shop, North St - The Brewery, Durnford St

or from our outlets at the - Tobacco Factory - Grain Barge - Barley Mow

Page 11 PINTS WEST BRISTOL PUBS GROUP The Bristol & District CAMRA Pubs Campaigning Group Our aims are simple. – or Bristol Pubs Group for short – was formed in The Bristol Pubs Group will: response to the growing number of pubs in the Bristol Promote the use of community pubs. area closing or being drastically altered. The Group Campaign against closure of pubs that was launched formally in 2008 with the support of local could be viable. councillors, members of the trade and the media. Campaign against insensitive alterations. web: www.camrabristol.org.uk/pubsgroup email: [email protected]

The Lamb at Cadbury Heath egular readers of Pints West may recall an article in issue 85 pub; it has traded continuously since then except for about six weeks of (Spring 2010) expressing concern about a threat to the future of closure during the building works. Rthe Lamb at Cadbury Heath. Owners Punch Taverns had put it up The Lamb has been repainted externally, including new signage, and for sale and there were rumours that it might become a supermarket. the toilets have been refurbished. The previously lawned area in front of A public meeting took place at the pub in August 2010. Local MP the pub has been paved to create the a smart outside drinking area. The Chris Skidmore and the new owner property developer Paul Pressland same landlord is still there, and appears to live somewhere upstairs. The were present, together with a substantial number of local people and a function room seems to have been incorporated in the new development small delegation from Bristol Pubs Group. Mr Pressland described in though, and so will be lost to pub uses such as wedding receptions. broad outline his plans for the site and invited comment and ideas from Since 2010 the nearest alternative on-licensed premises, the Barrs those present. There was strong support for retaining a pub as part of Court, has become an Indian restaurant. This makes the continued exist- whatever was done. ence of the Lamb even more critical to local drinkers, and may of course Three years on the development is almost finished and Mr. Pressland help its viability. has been true to his word. The larger of the pub’s two gardens was to the During a recent visit two real ales were on sale (Cotswold Spring left at the rear as you looked at the pub from Banjo Island. This is now Reveller and Wells Bombardier), plus a real cider. occupied by a Co-op shop which appears to be complete except for in- All in all this looks like an increasingly rare thing – a good news story ternal fitting out, with its main entrance from the side road. The smaller about a pub which was once under threat. If only the big supermarket garden at the rear and to the right has been concreted over for use as car chains could follow the example of the Lamb and incorporate full on- parking for the pub employees and residents of the new flats above. licensed premises in all their schemes to convert pub buildings to retail The main drinking areas that were in use in 2010 are still part of the outlets! Norman Spalding The Long Cross Inn he Long Cross Inn, situated on the Long Cross road in Lawrence Weston, has been closed and re-opened only to close a second time Tin the past two years. Since then, the property has been sold; a plan- ning application (Ref 13/02849/F) to replace it with nine houses has been submitted to the council. If this goes ahead, there will be no pubs left in its ward (Kingsweston). In recent years, the Penpole Inn has been lost, to be replaced by houses (also nine). The Iron Bridge (previously the Progress Inn) has been Local people have shown concern by objecting to the application, converted into a day nursery. The Mason’s Arms has been demolished for, over the practicality of car parking if nine houses replace the pub. Bristol again, nine houses to be erected. Pubs Group has submitted an objection to the loss of this last pub in the Before any of these, the English Rose had been demolished for hous- local area. Lawrence Weston Planning Group has also objected, stating, ing. With no pub left in Kingsweston, the nearest will be the Blaise Inn “Lawrence Weston has been identified as having a shortfall of community near Blaise House. That is up for sale. The next is the Giant Goram. Each facilities and many of those we have are under threat.” (Pubs are classed as is a very long walk away. I have that read the latter is also under threat of community facilities’ in planning terms.) being replaced by housing. The ease of the changes is like dominoes! Where will local people be able to drink and meet if this pub is lost Now, I am not going to praise the Long Cross as having been the best – particularly if the Blaise Inn is sold for other use and the Giant Goram pub around in the past. On no occasion I visited it was it selling real ale. then follows the other pubs being changed to housing? Outside the Co-op’s (Nor was the Giant Goram.) If an enthusiast took on this pub though, that off-licence? Tim Belsten could change – and attract different clientele in higher numbers! Page 12 PINTS WEST Pub news ollowing nine months of closure the Famous Royal Navy Volun- teer on King’s Street in central Bristol, perhaps better known as Fthe Volley, has been re-opened by Alex Major previously of the Bristol Ram and the Hop House. The well-appointed traditional interior is complemented with a wide choice of cask ales and keg beers. This is a very welcome return for this much loved Bristol pub. Next door to the Volley the Beer Emporium opened in July and is serving ale from up to 12 handpumps from breweries such as Arbor, Bristol Beer Factory, Castle Rock and Thornbridge along with many others. Also offered is a wide selection of bottled beers. The Volunteer Tavern in St. Judes has increased its real ale hand- pumps from four to six and now has up to two real ciders available. Watch out for the regular beer festivals at this top-notch pub. A real ale is now available at the Palace Hotel in Old Market, St. Austell Tribute Free-of-tie top tip ... the King George VI was there on a recent visit. This diverse, gay-friendly pub has an interior to die for and is not short of good entertainment, so support their real ale and treat yourself to a cultural experience at the same time. The freehold for this magnificent pub is, by the way, for sale but trade is not affected. Following months of speculation and fears the Wickwar Brewing Company have bought the Cotham Porter Stores in Cotham from Enterprise. This should secure the future for this popular pub that has always been very characterful. In Clifton the Red Lion on Worrell Road has re-opened as a freehouse pub after a year spent as a wine bar. It is just off of Blackboy Hill and close to the bottom of Highland Square. Please support it if you’re in that neck of the woods. The Adam and Eve on Hopechapel Hill Clifton, near the boundaries of Hotwells and Cliftonwood, looks like its fortunes are on the up. This friendly pub is serving three real ales and is well capable of building itself a good trade in this end of the floating harbour. The Fire Engine in Redfield has its lease for sale, theHop Pole Plenty of speculation here - the Bulldog has an application pending to convert into four flats, and theChequers in Kingswood continues closed and seems to be going nowhere while owners Enterprise keep saying that pub use will return. In Easton the Greenbank Hotel’s saga continues where the owner wants to demolish the pub building and replace it with a three-storey structure containing a combination of nine flats and maisonettes.The Bristol Pubs Group and the local community are vigorously resisting the loss of this important community asset. The Cross Keys in Fishponds is closed and under new ownership and recently displayed some ‘bargain furniture’ signage having been stripped of the pub signs, though no bar- gain furniture or otherwise has been seen in the place. Planning permis- sion to convert from a pub has been rejected by Bristol City Council so it will be interesting to see what direction this process takes. How many pubs does Lawrence Weston have? One is the answer but a proposal to demolish the Long Cross awaits a decision which could see an entire suburb of the city wiped clear of pubs having lost around a handful in recent times. In the south of the city the Bloomfield in Brislington is closed and has attracted a lot of scaffolding. Future unknown. Similarly at the Coming to a pub near you? Let’s hope not. The Parkway Tavern. Ropewalk in Bedminster – closed and future intent not known. In South Gloucestershire the Lamb in Cadbury Heath remains open at Indian restaurant or just plain closed. As this pub is close to the ex- while completion of a brand new Co-op store takes place on the same Fellowship which is now a shop its importance to the area is increased. site. It was decided that this would be the way forward for this large pub Along the Filton Avenue but the other way from the ex-Fellowship the when ownership changed around 18 months ago. So the pub remains King George VI has its freehold on the market open to offers. This on a smaller plot and with presumably resultant lower running costs. In is a large pub with letting rooms and a car park and is amongst plenty Coalpit Heath we have just received a similar story in connection with of housing, the University of the West of England, a large aerospace the Badminton Arms. One of only two pubs in the village, owners industry and on the door step of the MoD at Abbey Wood. Letting Wadworth are reported to be in conversation with a supermarket agent rooms, restaurant, public bar – sounds like a gold mine in the right for development of part of the site but say that the pub and its remaining hands. And if the Bristol Rovers supporters wanted a watering hole on car park will not be affected. Just around the corner in Frampton Cot- match days in a couple of season’s time then this could surely be the terell the Star’s new owners have declared that they intend to convert one? Another ¾ mile along the road the Parkway in Stoke Gifford is the pub into low-income rented accommodation. The bad news contin- being changed into a Co-op shop. No corner has been left on this site to ues at the Good Beer Guide-listed Cross House in Doynton where the facilitate a pub on this occasion. pub suddenly closed. Owners Enterprise says that they are in discussions In our southern counties the Somerset Inn at Paulton is closed and with the tenant to get the pub re-opened. Let us hope for a positive is now for sale, and we have been informed that Enterprise intend to sell resolve for this sole Doynton village pub. Though it has appeared that the popular Campbell’s Landing in Clevedon. work had slowed right down on getting the Hollybush in Bridgeyate Next time you are in your regular supermarket and you reach for into a larger food led pub we are informed that work will recommence a selection of bottled beer to sup at home in front of the telly, think of to achieve a re-opening in the near future. The Barr’s Court at Barr’s your local pub and consider that they may need the trade more than the Court is now an Indian restaurant. North of our branch area the freehold giant you are standing in.…go on, go to the pub, you may enjoy it! And of the Barrel at Thornbury remains for sale. if you already go the pub regularly then great, keep up the good work There has been a lot of noise lately about the future of the Bulldog (and play). ’Til next time, happy pubbin’…cheers! in Filton. Rumours have circulated for a while but the latest are pointing Mike Jackson, for the Bristol Pubs Group

Page 13 PINTS WEST Is it checkmate for the Chequers? he Enterprise Inns-owned Chequers public house in Kingswood was last featured in the Spring 2013 edition of Pints West (number 97). The pub located at the junction Tof Ingleside Road and Lodge Road is close to Cossham Hospital and a large concentration of local housing so it should be possible to attract a strong local customer base. However, the building which dates to the 1930’s (of red brick construction with timber cladding and a red clay tiled pitch roof with timber window frames) has been closed for a considerable time. There was a temporary re-opening a couple of years ago but since then the building has started to suffer from neglect despite it being plated up. There was an arson attack a while ago and the flower tray holders located around the pub at first-floor level have become overgrown with weeds and there is also well established weed growth around the outside of the building to complete this downward spiral of decay. A couple of signs on the building saying “Don’t worry your nearest local is the Jolly Cobbler, Chiphouse Road” do little to give any reassurance that the pub has a long-term future. The longer that this state of neglect is allowed to continue, the more the risk of further vandalism increases, so it is imperative that Enterprise Inns carries out some immediate care and maintenance on the pub and find a suitable tenant for it as soon as possible.The local residents have been fighting to get the pub re-opened for some time but due to its location you wonder if the site could end up as a Sainsbury’s Local or Tesco Metro or something similar. To highlight this tale of neglect you can contact the local Labour councillors for St. George East, Fabian Breckels and Steve Pearce, the St.George Neighbourhood Partner- ship, and Enterprise Inns head office asking for this pub to be re-opened. If you want this pub saved for the future “it’s your move”. Ian Beckey The Cross Keys at Fishponds: a bedtime story he ongoing saga over the various planning applications for flat conversions to the Cross Keys public house at 627 Fishponds Road, Fishponds, was highlighted in the TSummer 2013 Pints West Extra.* After the initial planning application to convert the pub into flats and ground floor retail (12/05726/F) was refused on the grounds of loss of community pub and parking issues amongst others, the owner ignored the decision and carried on with internal alterations to the building without planning permission. Subsequently an enforcement notice (13/30253/COU) was issued and the outcome of the planning enforcement inquiry is awaited. Because of the enforcement notice, the owner submitted a new planning application (13/02070/F) to convert the pub into flats and ground-floor retail, but on 28th June 2013 it was again refused on similar grounds to the previous plans by a delegated decision. Having gone this far, Bristol Pubs Group knew that it was unlikely to be the end of the matter and, sure enough, yet another planning application (13/03183/F) was submitted to convert the pub into flats and ground-floor retail in late July 2013.What made this application different was the fact that the pub was now being described as an existing shop and flats when it was clearly not, as planning permission had not yet been given to convert the building into flats/retail. As if to emphasise the point, on 2nd August 2013 the owner suddenly opened a second-hand shop at the pub premises, covering the Cross Keys pub signage with a banner saying “Bristol Furniture Bargains”. The shop was selling mattresses among other things but was operating without planning permission being obtained for a change of use. As you can see this story does not make good bedtime reading, so in order to send this application to bed with the previous ones, members of the public and ex pub users are *Pints West Extra is an occasional on-line publication invited to object to planning application 13/03183/F on the grounds of loss of community containing articles that could not be accommodated in pub as per Core Strategy Policy BCS12, lack of parking and poor access, loss of potential the printed version of Pints West – available from the pub jobs, loss of active high street retail frontage, etc. It’s your choice if you want to save web site at www.camrabristol.org.uk. Ian Beckey the pub and have the opportunity to drink a pint at the Cross Keys in the future. Are you concerned about the loss of pubs? as the loss of a pub in your area irritated you? Do you feel the We work in many ways. We have carried out surveys with publicans on Hincreasing loss of these social yet relaxing places make you worried occasions. Ongoing practices include monitoring the closure of pubs, estate your favourite could be at risk? Do you agree such places need more agents adverts and planning applications; liaising with various councils protection? Does the growing number of supermarkets and flats replacing and other CAMRA branches; and we lobby councillors and MPs when these public meeting places wind you up? appropriate. Our area is not just in Bristol, but generally the old Avon area. If so, maybe you would like to consider joining Bristol Pubs Group Helping us to gather and compile information, writing or proof-reading to campaign against this. If a regular reader of Pints West, you will have press releases and statements for the public domain, helping with our seen our news section and articles in past editions – some positive, some website, debating at bi-monthly meetings and by email – these are things negative. We are part of Bristol & District CAMRA. You don’t have to be you might may be good at. The outcome can often be very satisfying. Other a member of CAMRA to join us, though. Bristol Pubs Group is a voluntary times it can be helpful in improving our skills for the next battle. We just group of people who spare some time to act against pubs being lost where need more people to help out! Consider joining in with us. We also have their retention is viewed as a need. We determine which pubs case by case. some social events on separate dates. If interested, please contact us by We particularly need more members from rural areas. emailing [email protected]. Tim Belsten Page 14 PINTS WEST The pubs of Long Ashton small group of Long Ashton resident CAMRA members embarked This establishment has been tastefully refurbished and caters excellently for on a tour of the pubs that are within walking distance of our homes. drinkers and diners alike, generally attracting those LA residents who would AWe thought it might be a good idea to share our experience with Pints normally head into Clifton to socialise, rather than frequent their local. The West readers! fresh, well kept and well presented beers on offer when we visited were Box We started our tour at the Bristol end of Long Ashton by visiting the Steam Brewery’s Piston Broke (4.5%, full-bodied, deep golden with hoppy Dovecote, a Vintage Inns establishment, formerly the Smythe Arms. Despite palate), St Austell’s Tribute and Bath Ales’ Gem. The Gem was unsurprisingly being very much an eatery in the “take your granny to lunch” style, we were excellent! The atmosphere in the Bird was friendly, convivial and happy and pleasantly surprised by a good selection of well-kept beers (all served in cor- the staff made every effort to be helpful. There is a separate dining area and rectly branded glasses), helpful, friendly staff and a pleasant, though small, bar the imaginative cuisine is a cut above normal pub food. To one side of the

The Dovecote The Bird in Hand area. The beers on offer were St Austell’s Tribute and Proper Job (5.5%), and pub there is an area for sitting outside together with a covered smoking area. Butcombe Bitter. One of our number was quick to declare that he had never Our final stop was the Miners Rest, a short hike up the steep hill on had a better pint of Proper Job, served at just the right temperature! The Tribute Providence Lane. This is our local, a small, unpretentious, traditional boozer and Butcombe were also excellent. We can’t comment on the food offering at with flagstone floors, real fire, tables inside and out, and a fantastic view from the Dovecote, but if you are in Ashton Court one day and looking for a decent the rarely used top garden. Food is served at lunchtimes only. Because of the pint of beer, we can recommend you call in at the Dovecote. nature of the building, there is little conventional cellarage which means they Our next port of call was the Angel, a well-known and long-established specialise in gravity-fed beer. Butcombe Bitter was the one beer on hand family-run country pub, frequented by locals and Bristol residents alike. The pump, while Fuller’s London Pride was served from barrels behind the bar. beers on offer here were Bass, Butcombe Bitter, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Otter The beer was, as it invariably is, in peak condition, served in branded glasses Ale. The Doom Bar was very good, if a little cooler than it should have been, and not over-cooled. There was a warm and friendly welcome from Carol the Bass not quite so enjoyable, but the Otter Ale was the best of the beers we the landlady and Chris the regular barmaid, and the ambience that of a very

The Angel The Miners Rest tasted, being well-balanced and full of flavour. We decided to eat here and popular locals’ local. found the food to be good value, decent pub grub. Outside, the Angel has a All in all, a pleasant way to spend a Friday night (despite the choice of pleasant courtyard area (for all those hot and sunny afternoons we enjoy in beer being somewhat limited). Now, just a short stagger downhill to home! this country), complete with resident house martins. There is a recently added l On September 28th, Long Ashton will be hosting its very first Beer and Cider covered smoking area adjacent to the toilets which, curiously, has decking over Festival at the Village Hall, from 4pm to 10pm (or until the beer runs out). the top of flagstones. The Angel also offers bed and breakfast accommodation. Held in aid of the Long Ashton Community Association, there will be a selec- We then ventured into the heart of the village and to the Bird in Hand, a tion of around 12 local beers and ciders on offer, as well as food and entertain- Forage Inns freehouse, sister to the Pumphouse on the docks. We were im- ment. Tickets will be available from the LA Post Office or direct from LACA mediately struck by the excellent ambience in the welcoming and friendly bar. – see website for further information: www.longashtoncommunitycentre.org. Jo Vansittart Page 15 PINTS WEST A Bristol Pubs Group trip to sunny Kingswood or my third organised Bristol Pubs Group social crawl I chose the the large rear garden area sup- Kingswood area. With several pubs having closed recently, some ping our ale in the sun. A few Flost to supermarkets, I thought it a good time to venture to an area I from our group went down to did not know that well. I do however have memories of a few pubs from the Old Flowerpot as it was when I played darts a lot back in the 80’s. now open and reported that As he was a Kingswood resident, I prompted my friend Rich Walters it was very good with a big to come up with a list of pubs suitable for a Saturday afternoon out. This garden. Ales on were Fuller’s crawl, like my Bedminster one, was about pubs and community and not London Pride and Sharp’s the choice of beers and ciders on sale; my idea was to start at the Tennis Doom Bar, both in good nick. Court and work back through the High Street with some deviations. It I have now been back myself was planned to meet at the aforementioned Tennis Court for 1pm. Weather and had a nice pint of St The Kings Arms was very hot in high twenties so liquid was definitely on the menu. Austell Tribute and also met The Tennis Court has recently had a make-over and is now a pub and chatted with Graham, combined with a Thai restaurant. It has not changed in layout from the the friendly landlord. old days when I visited With most of the group but is now very tidy and back together again we smart inside. Beer choice moved on to the Kingswood was Moles Tennis Court Colliers. This large pub is a Bitter at 3.5% and Bass. JD Wetherspoon establish- Nearly all of us went ment and, as expected, was for the Moles which we busy. Amongst the beers on agreed was very good for sale were Mordue Belma a low-gravity ale. One of Red, Jenning’s Snecklifter The Old Flowerpot our party was hungry and and Titanic White Liner. I went for the Titanic which was very much to my tried the Thai Quickie taste as a superb hoppy pale beer at 4.7%. We even managed to find room in lunch at £6, which he the large outside garden to sit The Tennis Court gave the thumbs up. By down. I must say I found the 1.30pm about 20 had arrived so it was looking like a very good turnout staff very friendly and helpful indeed, bearing in mind that several who wanted to come could not make there. it that day. Next down the same side Our next venue was to be the Old Flowerpot but we were told by of the road was the Black a local that the landlord Graham Day (ex Bristol Rovers player) did not Horse. A large pub with a open until 4pm. So with a front bar and the large open change of plan we headed back bar where they have live to the Old Plough in We- music, it is run by a lover of stons Way. This is a large psychobilly music. The only modernish family friendly beer on draught was Courage The Kingswood Colliers Marston’s pub which was Best, and a very good pint it quite busy when we got was, and at the right tempera- there. A few more turned ture on a hot day. I talked to up here and our party had the landlady on leaving and swelled to 25, the best turn she said they like to sell just The Old Plough out yet for a Pubs Group one beer in good condition. social. Ales on draught Certainly works there. were Pedigree and Hobgoblin, both in good nick. Since our visit I under- Next we were going to the stand a new landlord has just taken over. Kings Head which is mainly There was a rumour that the Flowerpot was now open and so half of a cider drinkers’ pub – I had the group decided to walk up and find out. The rest of us walked up Court- heard that it was affection- ney Road towards the Star. This is a Greene King pub and has had a few ately known as ‘The Swamp’. managers of late. On entering were faced with the usual Greene King IPA It is in fact a nice compact and Old Speckled Hen pumps plus a draught cider. Sadly none of them pub with a single bar, which were on. The barmaid told I was told has recently been The Black Horse us that there was a new given a make-over. We had lost a manager who had only few of our group by then as some been there four weeks af- had got behind and hung around a bit ter previous manager left longer in pubs we had been in. Most and was still trying to sort of us plumped for the classic Black the place out. Since the Rat and at only £2.30 a lot for your visit I would like add that money. Feeling a bit peckish by now the beer situation is back a few of us had a lovely crusty strong on track. Rich Walters cheese and onion roll for a pound, has been back since and which went down well with the cider. I went back to the Star It was a short trip across the road The Star again myself and both now for the Essex Arms. A small- beers were on. I had an excellent pint of Old Speckled Hen at the bargain fronted but good old pub, it was quite price of only £2.59 a pint. The pub was busy too on a Thursday evening. busy with I guess regulars. Taunton The group that went to the Flowerpot found it was still shut so they Traditional cider seemed a good idea moved on to the next venue which was the Kings Arms in the High after the last drink. The beer choice Street, where the rest of us subsequently joined them. This pub has had was Courage Best which was only some good things said about it ale-wise and the choice was his stock ale on keg. A few of us ventured out Cheddar Ales Gorge Best and the classic Dark Star Hophead, which is one to the rear garden of fake turf with of my absolute favourite beers. Both were in excellent condition and £2.90 several tables. We spotted that they a pint. Rich was on the cider and had Thatcher’s Heritage. We all sat out in kept chickens at the bottom of it too. The Kings Head Page 16 PINTS WEST Jerry says: “Real cider, it’s gert tasty” ast year’s cider apple crop was fairly disastrous because of the but actually produced by industrial processes, consistently bad weather. Jerry, our roving cider reporter, decided or featuring a range of additional fruit flavours. Lto find out whether 2013 would be a good or bad year by visiting CAMRA does not officially recognise any cider a well-known local cidermaker, Ben Crossman. Catching an X1 from or perry which has any fruit or flavouring, other Bristol, he travelled to Mayfield Farm, in Hewish, on the left-hand side than the apples or pears that made it, as being of the A370 in the Weston-super-Mare direction. Jerry found that, whilst real. APPLE’s Gillian Williams advises us to it was probably too early to give an overall verdict, “Ben thought last “be careful out there as sometime things aren’t year’s bad weather could still have an affect. His standard trees were not as ‘friendly’ or ‘local’ as they seem. Look faring as well as he would like, although the bushes are doing slightly beyond the branding, the glassware and better, though still under some stress. Although the impact of last year’s sundry other gimmicks and support your REAL CIDER weather will vary from area to area, 2013 is likely to be a better year local producers, go visit them,” just like than 2012. And the current good weather isn’t doing any harm for Jerry. Closer to home, look out for ‘we sales.” sell real cider and perry’ window stickers Jerry couldn’t visit without having a sample: “The Dry was very in pubs issued by APPLE, to make sure good, and I bought two small flasks of that to take home, another of you’re not confused by the big brands. Sweet and a Medium. Trying them all on the following evening, they And if you can’t get to a cider farm, were very good and I can thoroughly recommend a visit to the farm.” or are looking for a wider range than your We are fortunate in Bristol that there is a growing number of places local offers, keep an eye out for festivals to buy and drink real cider and perry, if not on handpump, then served with cider and perry bars. As Jerry says: from a ‘bag in a box’, the Bristol Cider Shop, the Stable and the “It’s been a busy summer with festivals reopened Cotham Porter Stores being the most recent examples. But at Ashton Gate and the Passenger Shed at that has not always been the case: 25 years ago a group called APPLE Temple Meads, to name just a couple. A was formed under CAMRA’s banner to support real cider and perry. cider I really liked is the St George Dry Like CAMRA, its aim was to promote ‘the real thing’ rather than the (6.5%), a really dry drink sampled at the SOLD HERE fizzy keg drinks then appearing on many bars. Today, the market is Three Tuns Festival a month or so ago. awash with even more new ‘sparkling’ products trading on tradition, The real thing, it’s gert tasty!” Jerry Fletcher, as told to Lesly Huxley Resurfacing in Baydon any readers may know Mark Farrel who worked in a number pubs Min Bristol mainly in the BS1 and BS8 postcode areas, including the Greyhound in Clifton, the Merchants Arms in Hotwells, and the Three Tuns. After finishing at the Three Tuns, Mark turned his back on the pub trade ... until now that is. On the 1st of June, Mark together with his partner reopened the Red Lion in Baydon, Wiltshire, a village RCH Brewery approximately 10 miles south east of Swindon. The Red Lion, Baydon’s only pub, had been closed since February. West Hewish Mark fittingly reopened the pub with a small beer and cider festival, Near Weston-super-Mare dividing barrels between the bar and a marquee in the pub garden. Tel: 01934-834447 And the beers sampled? Well I began with a Phipps IPA, a golden coloured beer at 4.2% ABV, followed by Broad Gauge, one of my www.rchbrewery.com favourites from the Box Steam brewery at 4.8% ABV. Next for me Brewers of award-wining beers including was Maharajas IPA from the West Berkshire brewery at 4.5 %, and  Pitchfork Dr Hexter’s Healer at 5.0% (great name for a beer, don’t you think?),  Old Slug Porter a suitably well hopped beer for my taste and from the same brewery,  PG Steam before finally finishing with a, old favourite, Crop Circle from the Hop  East Street Cream Back brewery.  Firebox Best wishes to Mark in his new venture. Jerry Fletcher Guest Beers and Beer Festivals catered for

Surprisingly it was quite town. The feedback I had big considering the narrow since from the people on frontage to the pub. the crawl was very good, Last port of call was everyone enjoyed it and I the Rose and Crown. can recommend a similar We were down to about crawl to anyone who goes 10 by now as several that way. had gone home. This I have done a map nice looking pub has a showing the Kingswood large single bar area and area pubs including the a large garden too. The ones now closed. You The Essex Arms pub itself was empty on can find it in the Bristol arriving but there were Pubs Group section of the several people outside in the large garden. There was no obvious hand Bristol CAMRA website pump serving draught beer, but there was a massive Courage Best font (www.camrabristol.org. amongst the usual lagers and ciders on sale. At the rear of the pub is a uk/pubsgroup/Downloads. small garden and gazebo. I managed a half of Thatcher’s Gold as it was shtml). now the end of a long day hot day out and time to get the bus back into Keith Shapland The Rose and Crown Page 17 PINTS WEST Festival round-up A Sunday A few of the beer festivals to look out for in the coming months: l September 7th & 8th – Somerset CAMRA and WSR Real Ale Fes- tival, Minehead, www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/section.php/23/1/ surveying trip camra_real_ale_festival l September 13th & 14th – Chew Valley Beer Festival, Ubley Parish s many readers will know pub survey trips form an important Hall, www.chewvalleybeerfestival.co.uk part of the CAMRA branch social calendar. They are run from l September 13th & 14th – Beese’s Beer, Cider and Music Festival, July until February of the following year and provide valuable Beese’s Riverside Bar and Tea Gardens, www.beeses.co.uk A input from members into the selection process for entries into the l September 19th to 23rd – Green Man Autumn Beer Festival, the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Green Man, Alfred Place, Kingsdown, www.dawkinsales.com Normally these trips are by coach on midweek evenings and usually l September 20th to 22nd – Wedmore Real Ale Festival, Wedmore only allow time for a short stop in each pub within the four-hour time Village Hall, www.wedmorerealale.com slot. A number of members have suggested that a more leisurely Sunday l September 22nd & 23rd – Redcliffe Bay Beer Festival, Redcliffe Bay afternoon surveying trip a couple of times a year would be a good idea, Hall, Portishead (tickets will be £5 each to include a commemorative glass and allowing a little more time in each pub as well as providing a pleasant programme and will be on sale from 7.30 to 9.30pm on Tuesday, 24th September at social “afternoon out” during the summer. the Windmill Inn, Portishead and Thursday, 26th September at the Ship, Portishead, The first of these Sunday trips took place early in August and was and may also be bought by phoning Ian Looker on 07741419926) quite well supported with a total of eighteen members involved for the l September 28th – Long Ashton Beer and Cider Festival, Long Ashton whole afternoon, with a few others joining in for part of the trip. Village Hall, www.longashtoncommunitycentre.org On a pleasant Sunday afternoon the coach left the centre of Bristol at 2.30 and returned at 8.30 in the evening. A total of seven pubs were visited on the eastern fringes of Bristol and the participants welcomed News from Cotswold Spring the slightly longer stay in each pub, and an opportunity to eat at the final ollowing their success at local and national SIBA beer festivals, pub on the trip. FCotswold Spring Brewing Company have had two beers participating The first pub visited was theKing’s Arms in Kingswood, a genuine in the Punch Finest Cask rotation during July and August. OSM (aka free house, which was featured in a pub profile in issue 97 ofPints West. Old Sodbury Mild) and Stunner have both been travelling by the pallet The coach then made the short trip to the Queen’s Head in Hanham (a load up to Birmingham and into the Punch supply chain. Master brewer Wadworth’s tied house) and then on the White Harte in Bridgeyate. Nik Milo has been overseeing the production and is very happy with the From here the party ventured onwards to a selection of pubs further commissioning of two new vessels for the purpose. Both of those beers towards Bath and took advantage of the rising temperatures to relax in did well at the Gloucestershire CAMRA beer festival at Postlip Hall in very pleasant pub gardens in picturesque settings. The next pub was the July – Stunner was best Best Bitter, and OSM won beer of the festival. Old Crown at Kelston, a Butcombe tied house followed by the Lock Nik said the Aviator wasn’t bad either! Even better, OSM recently won Keeper, a Wells & Youngs tied house, by the river at Keynsham. From Silver in the Mild category in the Champion Beer of Britain competition here it was on to Saltford – firstly to theJolly Sailor adjacent to Saltford at the Great British Beer Festival, having previously won category Gold Lock and finally to theBird in Hand, next to the Bristol to Bath cycle in the South West regional finals. Keep and eye out for some new beers track and close to Avon Riverside station on the preserved Avon Valley coming from the brewery in the Autumn. They’ve been working on the railway line. taste profiles for a brown ale and a pale ale on the style of Aston Ale. As well as the regular ales for the area, such as Butcombe Bitter, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Courage Best Bitter, the party enjoyed sampling some beers not normally available in the eastern suburbs. These included Otter Ale and Abbey Ales Bellringer (Bird in Hand), Black Sheep Best Bitter (Jolly Sailor), Cheddar Valley Gorge Best and GWB Bees Knees (King’s Arms) and Rudgate Ruby Mild (Old Crown). The afternoon trip was deemed to be a success by those involved and thought is now being put into arranging another Sunday afternoon surveying trip later in the summer or early autumn. Whilst support for the early August trip was good a few more participants would be welcomed, so please try to “sign up” when a date is announced. Martin Gray

‘Seldom do you find such a treasure as the Eldon. It’s the village pub in the middle of the bustling city’.

¶ 5 Real Ales.5 Real Some ales usually local heroes locally plussourced weekly guests

¶ Quality Brunch,and competitively Lunch and priced. Evening meals served daily, all at affordable prices Silly prices with ales from £2.00 a pint. ¶ Live musicSaturday every 12Sunday - 6pm atSunday 5pm. 6Sunday - 11.30pm Roasts served 12pm ’til 6pm

¶ Quiz NightGood every quality Monday food atserved 8.30pm. all day £50 with Jackpot & other prizesa ne selection of wines available.

¶ Check ourMonday website: night www.theeldonhouse.com, quiz, Tuesday’s lm night follow us on Twitter @theeldonhouse or find andus on live www.facebook.com/eldon.house music on Thursday.

6 Lower Clifton Hill just o the triangle opposite QEH school, Bristol BS8 1BT Tel: 0117 922 2271 email: [email protected] Website: www.theeldonhouse.com

Page 18 PINTS WEST CAMRA Good Beer Guide

2014 launch First chance to buy n 2014 is not as far away as you think, and as normal we at CAMRA beer festivals or when buy- will be launching the latest edition of our ever popular Good Beer Guide ing beers in an off license in September – the only properly and independently researched guide to or supermarket. There the best pubs for real ale and cider in the Britain. are also always numerous As local co-ordinator for many years I can vouch for the amount of interesting beer-related legwork and dedication put in by our local unpaid volunteers in making articles to read. sure that only the best ale pubs make it into this prestigious Guide. It The book will be was hard work but we were thirsty enough to do it! The book aims to available in main book identify the best 4,500 pubs in Britain, including 63 chosen by our local shops, or online from branch, covering Bristol and parts of South Gloucestershire and North CAMRA from mid Sep- Somerset. Those 63 were the subject of many visits and much debate tember, and makes an ideal amongst us over the last 12 months, and many more were nominated Christmas or birthday than we have space for. Bristol has seen a massive increase in the num- present for anyone who ber of quality beer outlets in recent years which means that some very enjoys a pint. However, good ones had to be left out. A place in the Guide is much sought after we are offering the chance by all licensees who are serious about keeping real ale. to buy it in person from The Good Beer Guide 2014 will be launched locally on Friday some of the volunteers September 13th at the Volunteer Tavern in New Street, central Bristol who helped write it at our (BS2 9DX). The event will run from noon to 7pm and copies of the annual launch event. Guide will be on hand. Last year we sold around 90 copies. The team at the Volunteer relaunched the pub as a real ale, good food and live music The cover price is £15.99 but for this day only it will be available venue just two years ago. In fact the event almost coincides with their at the bargain price of £12.50, or just £10 to card-carrying CAMRA second anniversary of reopening. Pete Gibbs and his friendly team have members. made a great success of transforming this small historic pub into one of the best eating and drinking venues in central Bristol. More details of the Volunteer’s location and offerings are avail- able on their very good website volunteertavern.co.uk or by phone on The Volunteer can be slightly tricky to find the first time you visit 01179558498. but is actually extremely close to both Cabot Circus and the Old Market area. From the Old Market roundabout, walk past the bus interchange We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the event. stops with the Old Market Tavern on your left, turn left at the Palace Vince Murray Hotel (affectionately known as the ‘Gin Palace’), then walk about 60 GBG Co-ordinator, Bristol & District metres – as the road bends to the right you walk straight on and the Volunteer is 100 metres ahead. You can enter the pub via the front door in New Street or their beer garden in St Mathias Park. Alternatively, opposite Cabot Circus, look for the Future Inn and Chophouse restaurant olunteerolunteer avernavern – the pub is just behind and off to the right. VV TT At the time that the Good Beer Guide went to press the pub was 9 New St, Near Cabot Circus, BS2 9DX offering four changing real ales. The recent addition of two new handpumps means that up to six beers are now served at once. These are Friday 13th September mostly from fairly local independent brewers. The only permanent beer is Caledonian Deuchars IPA. In general the plan is to always include a All Day light and hoppy beer, one or two bitter/copper-coloured beers, and one or two dark beers all year round. (A very generous discount on beers is given to all CAMRA members showing their membership card.) Two GOOD BEER local traditional ciders and a good selection of bottled beers complete the drinks picture. The Volunteer has developed a very good name for quality home-cooked food at very fair prices, served lunchtime and GUIDE 2014 evenings. Sunday roasts served from 12 to 6pm are hugely popular so booking is advised. Regional Launch Whether you make it to the launch or not, a date for your diaries should be the weekend of Thursday 26th to Monday 30th September when the Volunteer will be holding the latest of their popular beer ND festivals in the beer garden. This is to celebrate their second anniversary. 2 BIRTHDAY There are likely to be around 20 to 25 beers on offer all at the same time. Nobody who enjoys a quality pint of ale should be without this book BEER FEST – especially if you plan to travel around the UK on business or leisure. With the price of a pint nowadays, why risk drinking poor beer, when More than 30 beers and ciders the book can steer you towards the best pubs wherever you are? Even if you bought the Guide last year, the ever-changing pub industry means that a significant amount of it will now be out of date. In Live Music Camra Discount our own area around 20% of the pubs featured this year will be different from last year, and a similar story will be true in most other areas too. Thursday 26th Sep - Monday 30th Sep In addition the Good Beer Guide aims to list all known real ale All Day, Every Day breweries and their regular beers (many thousands). The majority of these will also have tasting notes supplied to steer you towards your volunteertavern 01179 558498 style of beer – it can be bewildering to see a large bank of handpumps @ and have no idea which one is for you. This list also comes in handy at www.volunteertavern.co.uk Page 19 PINTS WEST Shine on . . . Pubs by the Lakes n the late 19th century, the then Bristol Waterworks Company under- Inn, a popular former Usher’s house up the hill, has closed. The Yew Tree took an eight year project to dam the River Yeo, and thus create an looked in a state of some disrepair when I snooped around the car park, and Iartificial fresh water lake in the valley below the village of Blagdon. we can only hope that the pub can be rescued and restored to something This was to provide drinking water for Bristol and much of North Som- approaching its former charm. erset. Some fifty years later the local demand for clean drinking water On the other side of the northern end of the lake, you will find the Pony was so great that a second, much larger artificial reservoir was created at & Trap, in what counts as Newtown or Knowle Hill depending on which Chew and opened in 1956 by HRH Queen Elizabeth II. map you consult. Whatever you call it, it’s worth seeking out though, as this Both Blagdon and Chew Valley lakes still provide fresh water to is one of the most immaculately presented pubs in the entire area. The long Bristol today, but both have also become nationally important wildlife sloping gardens have beautiful views of the valley – though not actually havens for birds, animals and plants. There are numerous nature walks, of the lake. Inside you will find a gastro-pub, with a real emphasis on the tea shops and at Chew a particularly informative visitor centre. Add to innovative food menu. Closed on Mondays, and offering Sharp’s Doom this a limited amount of water sport activity permitted, and you have Bar and Butcombe Bitter as the unsurprising but perfectly well-maintained two beauty spots of which Somerset is rightly proud. beers. If you are visiting one or both of these lakes, it is worth checking To the east out some of the surrounding of an imaginary hamlets and villages in equatorial line across search of a decent pint with Chew Valley lake which to toast the foresight or, as geography of the Bristol Waterworks students might have Company (now Bristol it, halfway down Water) in creating two the right hand side, such practical yet utterly is the town/village beautiful attractions so close of Bishop Sutton to the city. where, prominent Less than a kilometer by the roadside, you west of the northern tip of will find theRed Chew Valley lake is the Lion. Stone-built in The Red Lion village of Chew Stoke, and a locally typical style, with the pub name etched into the windows, and a its one remaining opera- very well kept garden to the right as you look. If the sun is shining, this is The Stoke Inn tional pub, the Stoke Inn, lovely place to relax. an imposing stone-built two-bar pub with car park and garden with It says something children’s play equipment. The right-hand ‘lounge’ bar looks to me very about the changing much like someone’s living landscape of real ale room, with an overwhelm- availability that I was ingly informal, almost pleasantly surprised, haphazard set up. The almost nostalgic, to public bar on the left houses see a Courage Best the TV screens for watching handpump on the bar. sport. On my visit there was Courage Best used Sharp’s Doom Bar, Otter to have the same Bitter, Palmer’s and a very reputation as Sharp’s nice pint of Cottage Clifton Doom Bar does among Ale, a ruby red ale with an some real ale drinkers aftertaste halfway between today. Omnipresent bitter and sweet. but uninspiring. I had The Waldergrave Arms Sadly, the Stoke Inn is a pint for old times’ sake and found it a crisper more refreshing pint than I the only pub in Chew Stoke remember. Other beers on offer were Fuller’s London Pride, Doom Bar and The Pony and Trap now that the Yew Tree Butcombe Bitter.

The New Inn with its magnificent view over the lake

Page 20 PINTS WEST Round beneath the southern tip of the Chew Valley lake is East Rare Breed and Gold Harptree where, tucked in among the narrow and hilly streets, you both make frequent will find theWaldegrave Arms. There is something altogether more appearances, substantial about the Waldegrave, a 14th century inn with beamed alongside a varying ceilings, mysterious corridors and a hotchpotch of drinking and dining guest ale. rooms. There is a large sun-trap garden, and a covered smoking area Final village for the nicotine-dependent. My own visit was enhanced by a friendly to visit on this cat who popped meandering ‘lap’ onto my lap as I sat around the lakes in a comfortable is Blagdon. The sofa enjoying the Queen Adelaide on Otter Ale that was the High Street, is a on offer alongside good old-fashioned the ubiquitous unpretentious pub Butcombe Bitter. with the wonderful A smidge to The Ring O’Bells advantage of having the north west, on the second best view a road that will of any of the pubs take us towards featured here. (Well, Blagdon lake, are that’s my opinion. two delightful pubs See below for the The Crown in West Harptree. best). Good food The first is the Crown. It is a proper old rural village pub so, as with offered here, as well many pubs that double up as a community hub, there are likely to be as Butcombe Bitter one or more traditional pub games being played. The real ales on offer and a guest beer. during my visit were, no go on, you guess! Pick two beers you think are Just up the road likely to be on offer… Wow, you must be psychic! Yes, Butcombe Bitter and the hill is the and Sharp’s Doom Bar. Now, while a broader choice of beers around charming black and this area would be white exterior of the very welcome, the Seymour Arms. The Butcombe Bitter in Seymour makes the particular is as good The Queen Adelaide most of its idyllic an example of a location, and invites ‘best bitter’ as you B&B guests to use it will find. as a base from which To the north of to explore the lakes the village, back and hills that sur- towards the lakes, round it. Butcombe is the Blue Bowl. Bitter again the real A stone-built, fairly ale on offer. traditional country However, atop The Blue Bowl pub with large car the hill in Park Lane park and meticulously coiffured gardens. There are four en-suite rooms sits the pub with if you are staying overnight. Another Sharp’s Doom Bar stockist, the arguably the best Blue Bowl also offers Fuller’s London Pride. There is also sometimes view in the South a guest beer from a local brewery, though not at the time of my visit West. The New earlier this summer. Free wifi is available here if you need to check Inn is a sprawling share prices, the result of the 4:30 at Kempton or simply watch an online Wadworth house video of a skateboarding squirrel. The Seymour Arms with an extensive If you leave the village of West Harptree and head west north west garden from which there is a gorgeous panoramic view of the very best along the A368 you will find, in a village mentioned in the Domesday of English countryside. The lake stretches across your view, topped and Book of 1089, the Ring O’ Bells in Compton Martin. Bought by local tailed by the lush Somerset countryside. Perch yourself on one of the villagers in 2012, the Ring makes a great play of its history. Flagstone many bench table sets, tuck it into a well-prepared lunch, with your pick floors, inglenook fire place, old leather chairs: it’s like a very pleasant of Wadworth’s family of beers (6X, Henry’s IPA, Bishop’s Tipple all step back in time. As a former Butcombe pub, the Ring O’ Bells still likely to be available, plus a seasonal offering), and bask in a little piece proudly features one or two from that brewery. Bitter is a regular, but of the very best that England has to offer. Duncan Shine

Page 21 BATH & BORDERSPINTS WEST BRANCH Pub and brewery news from the CAMRA Bath & Borders branch

Bath and Surrounding Villages get in touch with the pub, particularly those who would like to use the skittle alley, which is the longest in Bath. Ms Buhr, who also runs the Abbey Ales, Camden Row, Bath city-centre restaurant Le Petit Flamma, says that she wants the pub to be Abbey Ales, founded in Bath in 1997, is at odds with Warmley- at the heart of the local community. We wish Claire and Steve well for based Bath Ales over the use of the word Bath and whether the former the future. can launch a subsidiary brand called the Bath Brewing Company. Abbey Ales manager Alan Morgan feels that the brewery needs to create the Coeur de Lion, 17 Northumberland Place, Bath new identity because some customers did not realise it was based in The freehold of this tiny city centre pub is on the market for Bath, despite his beers having brewed at Lansdown for almost sixteen £395,000. The Punch Taverns-owned pub is a three-storey eighteenth years. Abbey Ales has registered the name with Companies House and century Grade II listed Georgian property and is famous for its stained now wants to use it as a trademark, but Roger Jones, managing direc- glassed window. It has one main bar with seating across two floors and tor of Bath Ales, says the new name could lead to further confusion. a pavement licence of three tables outside. The Coeur is one of the city’s Mr Morgan has argued for some time that the use of the word Bath in gems and is currently managed by Bath brewery Abbey Ales, which also a company name should be reserved for businesses that are based in operates three other pubs in the city: the Trinity, the Star and the Assem- the city. Bath Ales was launched in 1995 with the intention of being bly Inn. Abbey’s lease has 13 years left to run and it is believed that this based in the city but, after attempts to find premises to brew in the city will not be affected by any sale. The selling agent is James A Baker. fell through at the eleventh hour, the brewery was instead set up on the southern outskirts of Bristol. Meanwhile Abbey Ales is now seeking Green Park Tavern, Lower Bristol Road, Bath legal advice on whether it can use the Bath Brewing Company name. This pub closed during the first weekend in August. The future of the pub is uncertain but a FaceBook post from its owner says “… Belvoir Castle, 32-33 Victoria Buildings, Lower Bristol tomorrow is the last night the tavern will be open for a while...”, which Road, Bath suggests that this might only be a temporary closure. The historically named Belvoir Castle is once again the Belvoir Castle! It was renamed the Victoria Works following a previous re- King’s Arms, 1 Monmouth Place, Bath furbishment around three years ago but the name never really caught This Enterprise Inns-owned pub closed in around May. The lease is on. New landlords Steve Birchall and Claire Buhr acquired the pub in up for sale. At the time of writing, around early August, the pub was still March following the sudden departure of the previous licensee and have closed. recently completed a full revamp of the venue. The couple are hoping to turn it into a live music hotspot and a home to local sports teams. Their Metropolitan (formerly Midland), 14 James Street West, first act was to change the name from the controversial Victoria Works. Bath Recently retired from the army, Mr Birchall said that many of the regu- A major transformation of this pub is underway. The City Pub lars had helped with the refurbishment and have shown a lot of goodwill Company (West), which was founded in 2011 by established industry and practical support to the new landlords. During the refurbishment the entrepreneurs David Bruce and Clive Watson, and John Roberts, former live music bookings diary disappeared so the couple are calling on any managing director of the Fuller’s Beer Company, has acquired the pub, bands expecting to play at the venue in the coming months to contact which3074 BOXhad closed Pints Westearlier Ad_120x90_Layout this year. The company 1 15/01/2013 is planning 17:09 to re-open Page 1 the pub and confirm their gigs. Sport teams are also being encouraged to the pub at the end of September, very likely under a new name, and with

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BATH & BORDERSPINTS WEST BRANCH very much the intention on giving the pub a brand new start. The most Knatchbull Arms, Stoke St Michael, near Shepton exciting part of the development is the plan to establish a fully func- Mallet tioning micro-brewery on the premises. The company already has two This traditional village pub, which closed in the early part of the brew-pubs, the Henley Brew House and the Cambridge Brew House, year, re-opened in the spring under an experienced landlord and seems and is aiming to create a similarly successful venture in Bath. Mean- to be doing well. while chief executive Alex Derrick has been in contact with the local branch of CAMRA to see if we would be willing guinea pigs to try out Seymour Arms, Witham Friary, near Frome the new beers. John Douel, the longstanding landlord of this completely unspoilt rural pub, sadly died in April. Our condolences go to his widow Jean Raven, 7 Queen Street, Bath and their two children. Son Peter and his sister have been running the Bath & Borders Branch Overall Pub of the Year 2013 pub for the last year and are intending to continue to do so with the At a well attended branch social held on Tuesday 11 June landlord intention of keeping it exactly as it is whilst keeping the ownership of Tim Perry and his crew were presented with the Bath & Borders branch the pub within the family. The Seymour Arms is a remarkably unspoilt overall Branch Pub of the Year 2013 certificate. This is the second time gem. The pub is on the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors and that the Queen Street pub has taken the title. It won the award in 2006 walking into it is like walking into a scene from the 1950s. Even the and also won the branch’s City pub of the year award in 2010. The free- cider prices seem to hark back to a bygone age! house, renowned for its pies, monthly seminars and story-telling, has an ever-changing range of guest beers, which it serves alongside two beers, West Wiltshire Raven Ale and Raven Gold, brewed exclusively for the pub by the local Blindman’s brewery. The Raven also runs three-monthly beer festivals. Bear, 26 Silver Street, Bradford-on-Avon Landlord Tim Perry says, “We are delighted to win this award again. It This town-centre pub has recently been taken over by the now is a testament to the hard work that we all put in. We are always grateful former landlords of the nearby Bunch of Grapes (see entry below). All for all the support that Bath has given us.” the staff, including the chef, have de-camped to the Bear, which has more room inside than the Grapes and, at the rear of the pub, an outside Richmond Arms, 7 Richmond Place, Bath courtyard area. The pub was briefly closed for a minor revamp and, in a Plans to convert the Richmond Arms in northern Bath into a private bid to establish the pub as a brand, re-opened as an Ale, Pie and Cider home have been rejected and a community buy-out has been launched. House. Please see main article. Bunch of Grapes, 14 Silver Street, Bradford-on-Avon Rising Sun, 3-4 Grove Street, Bath This pub closed briefly during late July and early August follow- The freehold of this eighteenth century Grade II listed pub is on the ing the departure of the previous landlords and staff to the nearby Bear market for £500,000. The pub, which has two bar areas, a commercial (please see above). At the time of writing the pub was expected to re- kitchen and seven rooms for accommodation, is situated just outside open on Friday 16 August under a new experienced landlord. the city centre, near to the rugby ground. The selling agent is James A Baker. Riverside Inn, 49 St Margaret’s Street, Bradford-on- Avon Rose & Crown, 6-8 Brougham Place, Larkhall, Bath This pub closed in early May. At the time of writing it had not re- This Wadworth’s pub, which closed earlier in the year, re-opened in opened. The future of this pub remains uncertain. around May under a temporary landlord. A new permanent landlord is expected to take over at the pub around the end of August. George, High Street, Codford, near Warminster We understand that the freehold of this pub has just been acquired Victoria Works (formerly and once again the Belvoir by local company Four County Inns. (This is the same company that Castle), 32-33 Victoria Buildings, Lower Bristol Road, owns the Royal Oak on Lower Bristol Road in Bath, the Stallards in Bath Trowbridge, the Prince of Wales in Dilton Marsh, and the Organ Inn in Please see under entry for the Belvoir Castle above. Warminster.) This should be good news as the company has an excellent track record on saving and refurbishing pubs and allowing its landlords White Horse, 42 Shophouse Road, Twerton, Bath a high level of freedom in how its pubs are managed and run. This former branch Pub of the Year has re-opened under new man- agement. It closed in around April or early May following the departure (Continued overleaf) of former landlord Jason Clark and his mother. A couple who used to run the Dolphin Inn nearby have now taken on the Enterprise Inns- owned pub. We wish them well and hope they can continue to run the White Horse, as did Jason and his mother, as a successful and welcom- ing community pub. blindmans East Somerset Bell, High Street, Buckland Dinham, near Frome brewery Long-serving landlords Jeremy and Lucy Westcott left this pub on 15 July to run a traditional English pub in Goa. Meanwhile new Award-Winning Real Ales landlords Nick Taylor and Karen Kerriman have taken over and we wish Brewed with Natural Spring Water them well for the future. Buff 3.6% Golden Spring 4.0% Bull Terrier, Croscombe, near Wells Mine Beer 4.2% Icarus 4.5% This ancient village pub, well run by long-serving landlords Barry Eclipse 4.2% Siberia 4.7% and Ruth Vidler, closed towards the end of June. The building had already been given planning consent to be converted to a private use. BLINDMANS BREWERY LTD In fact it is not certain what the future of the building will be and one Talbot Farm, Leighton, Nr Frome, Somerset BA11 4PN rumour has it that it will become a guest house and coffee shop. Tel: 01749 880038 email: [email protected] Jolliffe Arms, Kilmersdon, near Radstock www.blindmansbrewery.co.uk The previous landlord of this pub left suddenly and in mysterious circumstances. The pub remains open, however, and is being managed ** ALES ALSO AVAILABLE VIA SIBA DDS ** for the time being by the landlord of the Bell at Leigh-on-Mendip.

Page 23 BATH & BORDERSPINTS WEST BRANCH Pub and brewery news from the CAMRA Bath & Borders branch (Continued from previous page)

Prince of Wales, 94 High Street, Dilton Marsh Three Daggers, Westbury Road, Edington, near An extensive refurbishment of this community pub is mostly com- Westbury plete. The whole building has been much smartened up, both externally An official opening ceremony for the pub’s new micro-brewery and and internally, whilst the interior has been re-modelled so that the area farm shop was held on Saturday 27 July. The Mayor of the nearby town to the left of the main entrance has become a distinct dining area, whilst of Westbury cut the ribbon in a day that included brewery tours and beer the re-floored area to the right now serves as the main drinking area. sampling, food tastings and demonstrations, and music from the local Meanwhile the skittle alley now doubles as a function room. Finally a Steeple Rocks choir. new beer garden has been opened. New landlords Stephen and Kamil are determined to make a success of the Prince which, above all, remains a Axe & Cleaver, Frome Road, Southwick, near focus of the community. Trowbridge This large village pub, which closed for the last time around a year Fox & Hounds, 6 Deverill Road, Warminster ago, has been granted planning permission to be demolished and the Bath & Border Branch Rural Pub of the Year 2013 land used for car sales, including the possible erection of a showroom Landlords Chris and Marion Pitcher were presented with their third and sales office. Demolition of the building began in early August. The award in three years at a well attended Branch AGM on the evening of pub had had a chequered history. In the early nineties it became a sort of Tuesday 25 June. This year it was for Bath & Borders CAMRA Rural out-of-town, youth-orientated, night-club-style pub. In the late nineties Pub of the Year (although owing to a small clerical error the certificate it was acquired by the local Ushers brewery, who re-named the pub the actually said Community Pub of the Year). The Fox & Hounds was in Wych, and tried to make it a venue equally attractive to locals and a fact Community Pub of the Year in 2011, before going on to become passing food trade. In 1999, however, the brewery itself closed and, from overall branch Pub of the Year in 2012. A freehouse, this very popular then onwards, the pub seems to have struggled. Finally it closed and pub is well supported by the local community and caters for all walks was subsequently converted into an Indian restaurant. As such the venue of life and all ages. The pub stocks at least three well kept beers, two of fared little better and, by around early 2011, the building was again which are from the nearby Wessex Brewery, and a range of up to seven closed and boarded up. In around the spring of 2011 the venue suddenly real ciders, all at very reasonable prices. opened again as a pub under its original name. It seemed that the Axe & Cleaver might have had a new lease of life. The freehold of the pub, however, went on the market last year and was sold. The pub then closed again around a year ago and has since been boarded up. Planning permission for the pub’s demolition was approved by Southwick parish council and met with no material local objections. This leaves Southwick with one pub, the Wadworth’s owned Farmhouse.

Horse & Groom, 18 Alfred Street, Westbury This large handsome pub on the outskirts of Westbury, which had been closed in the ear- ly part of the year, re-opened on Good Friday under new landlord Bob Musker. The Horse & Groom, which has very much a village feel, has retained the traditional layout of public bar and lounge. Bob, who has spent most of his life in the pub trade, aims to concentrate on offering simple, affordable, but good restaurant food. The Horse & Groom has a large lawned garden bordered on one edge by a babbling brook with its own kingfisher. The pub also has a pleasant seated area at the front of the build- ing, an extensive car park and a separate skittle alley and function room. Steve Hunt by Eddie Taberner The Bar Code

Page 24 BATH & BORDERSPINTS WEST BRANCH The Richmond Arms: Community buyout launched egulars of the Richmond Arms (in Richmond Place, Bath) and the lo- cal community have been battling hard to keep their much loved local Ropen. In the last couple of months not only have they successfully fought off a planning application for change of use to a residential home, but have also succeeded in getting the pub registered as an asset of community value and are now preparing to buy the pub for the community. It’s a great example of what well organised, determined local communities can achieve. As Mike Akin, member of the Save The Richmond Arms committee said, “The affection for this beautiful little pub, nestled in the hills of Bath, and the steely determination against the odds to keep it open, is overwhelming!” The Richmond Arms is located in a residential area on the northern outskirts of the city and is part of a Georgian terrace. It has been a pub since 1876 and is the only remaining local pub. It had gained a reputation in recent Colin MacAusland and Bill Clarke, both members of the ‘Save the years for good food but has always had strong local community support Richmond Arms’ committee, fly the flag to help ‘Save Our Local’ which came to the fore when the owners Punch Taverns made an application for change of use to residential. Bath and North East Somerset Council’s rea- son for turning down the planning application was that the proposed change of use would represent the loss of a community facility and that the property had not been effectively marketed as a public house. Insufficient evidence had been provided to demonstrate that the public house is unviable as a business and that the proposal, because it was not for an alternative facility of equivalent or greater benefit to the local community, ran counter to policy CF7 of the council’s local plan. (Pub owner, Punch, had argued that the pub was no longer financially viable and that it had tried and failed to find a buyer willing to keep it open.) More than 300 objections were made against the application and the Save the Richmond Arms campaign group, set up at the time the planning applica- tion was made, has been encouraging people from the community to ‘use it or lose it’. Angela MacAusland, a regular at the pub and secretary of the Save The Richmond Arms committee said, “Since the start of the campaign to save the pub, the community have definitely voted with their feet – the pub is as busy as I have seen it for years.” Since then the Save the Richmond Arms campaign group succeeded in getting the pub entered on to the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Richmond Arms celebrations: committee members and pub regulars ‘List of Assets of Community Value’ – being only the second pub to do this celebrate the ‘Asset of Community Value and refused planning in Bath. The ‘Localism Act’ requires local authorities to maintain such a list application’ including committee members Colin and Angela MacAusland, of assets that have been nominated by the local community, and when such Mike Akin, Kim Watkins, Bill Clarke and George Hipperson listed assets come up for sale or change of ownership, the Act gives com- munity groups six months to raise the money and bid to buy the asset when Pub’ event is planned to raise funds and kick off the buyout campaign on it comes onto the open market. This means that the Save the Richmond Arms Bank Holiday Monday, August 26th (while Pints West is at the printers). group has a six month window from 22nd July 2013 to raise the funds from Steve Hunt and Tom Chapman the local community to buy the asset. Richard Wilkinson, member of the Campaign contact: Save the Richmond Arms committee said, “Getting the change-of-use plan- Email: [email protected] ning application refused was great news, and even better is the opportunity Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/SaveTheRichmondArms for a community purchase. This could preserve the pub as an amenity for all Newsletter sign up: http://bit.ly/RANews in the long term.” Phone: 07733 105 412 (Colin), 07760 191 251 (Angela) A business plan and prospectus are currently being prepared, along simi- Useful Links: lar lines to the model used to successfully buy out the Bell in Walcot Street, CAMRA local pubs campaign: www.camra.org.uk/pubs with the minimum investment starting at £500. Anyone who is interested in New Plunkett Foundation website: www.pubs.coop becoming part of the community buyout should email richmondarmsbath@ Community Right To Bid: www.mycommunityrights.org.uk/community- yahoo.co.uk for more information. At the time of writing, a ‘Party At The right-to-bid by Eddie Taberner The Bar Code

Page 25 PINTS WEST News from Bath Ales Bath Ales is brewing in Bath Bath Ales is ‘delighted’ to be meeting its original objective to brew in the city of Bath. When they first started out in 1995 they were all set to move into premises in the city when at the last minute the arrange- ments fell through. In order to maintain brewing dates, the most suitable brewing premises available at the time were just across the Bristol border. However their new flagship bar/restaurantGraze Bar, Brewery & Chop House includes a microbrewery, and by the time you read this it will be selling Platform 3, a 5.7% IPA. Read more about these new developments in the separate review of Graze Bath. Seasonal ales If you are lucky you may just catch the last few pints of Summer’s Bath Ales head brewer Gerry Condell receiving the certificate Hare, the light, hoppy, 3.9% ABV summer seasonal. for the Bronze award in the Golden Ale category of the CAMRA Come September Forest Hare will make its reappearance. This is South West Regional Champion Beer of Britain competition the 3.9% copper-coloured, hoppy, autumn ale with hints of kiwi fruit and gooseberry. Forest Hare is brewed with wheat and barley malts and Pendulum 5.3% American Amber Ale: a balanced rich-coloured Ameri- New Zealand Sauvin hops. can amber Ale, with initial blackcurrant notes and a slight pepper-like Golden Hare, Bath Ales’ spring 4.4% seasonal brewed with floor- tingle; a rose and lychee fragrance accompanies a lingering dry bitter- malted Maris Otter barley and Goldings hops, has achieved the Bronze ness. award in the Golden Ale category of the CAMRA South West Regional Mantis 5.5% American Pale Ale: a dry-hopped American pale ale Champion Beer of Britain competition. with a balanced hoppy aroma, an abundance of citrus and tropical fruit News from the Beerd Brewery flavours, and a long, dry finish. Already a number of Beerd beers have been brewed in the pilot Silvertip 4.7% New Zealand Pale Ale: a refreshing pale ale using the brewery located in Hare House, and last month Pints West mentioned a popular Nelson Sauvin hop to give it a fruity aroma and a flavour that few of the more exotic flavours concocted by (now not so) new brewer has hints of white wine. Easy to drink with a fresh quick bitter finish. I Shane O’Beirne. have tried this one at the Hop Pole in Bath and it does what it says. As a preview of things to come, the following tasting notes give an Kobalt 5.2% Munich Dunkel: an intriguing dark Munich dunkel with a idea of what might be expected in the future. biscuity aroma and a smooth body, initially malty with hints of vanilla l Monterey 3.9% Californian Pale Ale: a West Coast style pale ale with a pleasant bitterness to finish. brewed with American-sourced hops. Pine and tropical fruits on the These beers will only available in small quantities and are changing nose, more pine on the tongue followed by a quick, sharp, bitter finish. constantly, so if you see one in a Bath Ales pub or outlet try it while you Razor 5.9% IPA: a full bodied IPA with an aroma of passion fruit and can, you may not be so fortunate next time.. subtle honey flavours mingled with the hoppiness, then a long, bitter, On a final note, this year’s Bath Ales Biking Bonanza charity event orange-tinged finish. raised a grand total of £3658.31. This commendable amount will be Sasquatch 5.9% American Pale Ale: a malty American pale ale, with handed over to the Frenchay Hospital After Burns Children’s Club a slight sweetness under its hoppy overtone. It has hints of lemon and (FAB). Roy Sanders wintergreen aroma on the nose and a quick, dry finish.

Fair Deal for your Local - support from local MPs ll the MPs within the branch area were contacted about regulation. They are aware of the problems for tenants to be treated CAMRA’s ‘Fair Deal for your Local’ campaign. I had replies fairly by pub companies and a curb on high rents and beer prices. Afrom five MPs across the political spectrum. On the whole we Most agree that the introduction of a statutory code of practice had a supportive and positive response. MPs Leslie, Skidmore, Lopresti, and independent adjudicator to protect licensees is necessary, if pub Foster and Primarolo were all aware of the problems that tenants of pub companies do not get their house in order. Consultation ended in June. companies are under. There were no replies from seven MPs, including We keenly await the outcome and the government proposals. Tessa Munt (Wells) who has failed to respond to any enquiries over the To keep up the momentum of the Fair Deal for your Local last two years. campaign, I would encourage all branch members to write to your MP at All of the above MPs reiterated the importance of local pubs and House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. their place as community assets. They also understand the need for Ray Holmes (Public Affairs Officer) Page 26 PINTS WEST Graze in Bath Review of visit to Graze Bar, Brewery & Chophouse raze Bath is very conveniently located just to the side of Bath Spa station building. The premises are part of the new Vaults ‘food Gquarter’ built in and around the arches of the 19th century railway station, originally built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The bar/restaurant takes up the entire first floor of the building and has two large outside areas for al fresco drinking and dining. The downstairs en- trance is guarded by four old-style telephone boxes but once inside the door you are soon climbing the stairs (there is a lift) to reach the 5000-square- foot eating/drinking area. It really is quite impressive on first sight: a room that will take 140 diners with neat tables and seating areas and a very large island bar, designed and furnished in a clean, sharp, modern style with a Trainspotting in the post-industrial garden of Graze Bath lot of wood and polished copper, apparently influenced by New York and London trends. Best of all, and again on full view to all, is the microbrewery whose Depending on the position of the sun there are two outside terraces to vessels gleam in matching copper with shiny wood cladding. This one-and- choose from, separated from the room by glass walls. The morning edition a-half-barrel plant comprises four fermenters, a hot liquor tank, one copper overlooks the street, and the afternoon version and a mash tun. The microbrewery will be used to brew beers unique to is right next to one of the platforms of the Graze Bath and the first brew from the plant is Platform 3, a 5.7% IPA. This station, although you can’t actually nip into it will be brewed every two weeks for the foreseeable future but in the winter without climbing a fence. This ‘post-industrial months a darker type of beer may be considered. An unfiltered keg version garden’ features a number of stylised animal will be brewed on the pilot kit in Hare House and served only in Graze Bath. sculptures to keep you company while you eat Platform 3 is brewed with Cascade, Chinook, Columbus and Sum- and drink and indulge in a bit of trainspotting. mit hops. The first batch had already been casked and put on stillage for Back inside, the open-plan kitchen is on conditioning, and will have been on sale by the time you read this. In fact view at the far wall and next to it is a meat the day of the review I was lucky enough to be present as the second batch locker where slabs of beef are hung to cure. of Platform 3 was being casked and I was able to taste a pre-conditioning For the foodies among you Graze sources snifter. Already the sample displayed some tropical fruit aromas, hints of high-quality British meat, cooked in a Josper citrus flavours, and a decidedly long bitter finish from those US hops, giving charcoal oven. There is a particular emphasis it a typical West Coast IPA flavour. on dry-aged steak, but there is also a selection According to Bath Ales this Graze is a resounding success, and it has of small plates, fish, shellfish dishes and veg- certainly been pretty full every time I have dropped in. The good weather in etarian options as well as seasonal specials. July has seen the terraces packed on both sides and there are usually queues The huge bar serves the usual Bath Ales for tables at peak times. Bath Ales have also been pleasantly surprised at the Graze Bath brewer Shane regulars and seasonals as well as a selection bar-only trade, which I guess is one bonus of being in just the right place for O’Beirne at work brewing of keg beers, fine wines and spirits. The day I a last drink before catching a train. batch three of Platform 3 was there a Beerd special was also on sale. Bath Ales has come home to Bath in a big way. (photo by Jo Sanders) Roy Sanders Enjoy a warm welcome The Windmill Inn and a pleasant atmosphere PORTISHEAD The Annexe Inn Seymour Road, Bishopston, Bristol Tel: 0117 9427525 A Real Ale Pub

 6 real ales – including 1 guest ale.  Large conservatory with disabled facilities.  Enclosed garden, open throughout the year.  Lunchtime and early evening menu including children’s menu.  Handmade, stone-baked, build-your-own pizzas served 4pm - 11pm. £6 each or 2 for £10. 6 Real Ales in excellent condition including:  All TV sports events covered. Courage Best, Bass, Butcombe Gold,  30p off a pint of real ale for over 60’s. Butcombe Bitter and 2 other guest ales. Quiz night every Monday with rollover jackpot. The Windmill Inn is situated next to the You can also enjoy various promotions and Portishead Approach Golf Course on Nore Road. special offers throughout the year. To contact us please ring 01275 843677. Open: 11.30am - 3pm then 5pm - 11pm All day Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays

Page 27 PINTS WEST Watering Holes in the Desert brought to you from Weston-super-Mare A personal plea to pub landlords emo to pub landlords: Turn it down! The music that is. Something that increasingly bugs me (and I know I am not I can still hear that Malone) is the way people running pubs seem to believe that their pub’s music from here! customers want to be blasted with loud music at all hours of the day. Obviously if you visit a music-themed pub, such as the wonderful Gryphon in Bristol, or are in a town centre pub on a Friday/Saturday night, you would expect loud music as this is what a sizeable chunk of the customer base at those times wants. However, why do even our local community pubs seem to be convinced that being deafened is part of what their customers are looking for? On two occasions recently I have gone to one of my local pubs for a few quiet drinks and a chat after a hard day’s work and have left after one drink due to not being able to have a conversation without shouting. Similarly, I have twice asked for the volume to be turned down at a nearby pub when trying to have a meal with friends and getting fed up with shouting across the table. A seafront pub was recently advertising that they were showing the Ashes. Great, I thought, but for the duration of the two hours that a friend and I suf- fered there, we had to put up no volume on the TV and being blasted with Pub Quiz music instead. That is a really interesting piece of management. The pub has Q. Why do prospective parents choose the name ‘George’, decided that it wants to attract cricket fans into the pub but has then decided beyond the fact that if they did not ask for a scan or it was that those customers couldn’t possibly want to hear the cricket commentary but wrong they can change it to ‘Georgy Girl’? would rather have a backdrop of the latest nightclub classics. Bizarre or what? A friend of mine says that all this is simply bar staff putting on what they A. Because: want without giving a thought for what the customers might want. I suspect he G is for golf and the lady is in the club. is right. Pub owners need to consider whether they are alienating a part of the E is the enharmonic of the F-Flat they will stammeringly acquire. local community who would be good customers. O is the verb describing their future financial position. If I want to drink to the accompaniment of loud music I might as well stay R is for Romeo, half the cause of the situation. at home and drink listening to my own stuff. Some of us still want to go to the G is for the good marks each will get for night feeding duties. pub to talk to people! E is what comes before the ‘by gum’ teething troubles. Rant over. Tim Nickolls Dr John Cryptic Crossword Compiled by Pete and Eddie Taberner

CLUES ACROSS 1. Outsize victim of Cotleigh strong ale (6) 5. Local Bristol pub where David Cameron might feel at home (8) 9. Colourless and peculiar drink (5, 3) 10. First sip should be sufficient when you taste beer (6) 11. Love some cat brew in this state after toomuch Exmoor Beast (8) 12. Quarrel arising when Ray has a Felin Foel for starters (6) 13. Dress code for The Green Man or the Adam & Eve (4-4) 15. Release house – for pub use? (4) 17. Some would bar Abu Dhabi drinking man (4) 19. Try hitchhiking – this might happen after 20 ac! (3, 1, 4) 20. Distributing Old English cider initially on tap will provide a kick! (6) 21. Clifton pub that could spring to mind in Surrey (8) 22. CIA men turn pale on a weak beer (6) 23. “Love a bit of a song by Queen”. The view of the bar manager (8) 24. Cash only change for beer from Kingfishers (8) 25. Very slurred in the French capital community (6)

CLUES DOWN 2. Sherry sipper, or shipper? (8) 3. Endlessly berate ale served up with VAT to be paid (8) 14. Cut-price mushy pea following a troublesome hot dog (1, 3, 5) 4. Could be a deaf Royal drunk this (4, 2, 3) 15. High speed pub-crawl when there’s no food. Bother! (4, 4) 5. Wetherspoons’ advert accommodated here in Bristol (10, 5) 16. When found in a bottle the real ale is heavenly (8) 6. Swallowed a very loud university brew. QED. (7) 17. A moister cocktail for one who’s a smasher (8) 7. International businessman delivers strong ale to the Queen (8) 18. Steed or Purdy for example rave about southern Nag’s Head (8) 8. Could the Wheatsheaf have become a rough watering hole? (5, 3) 19. How strong is this beer? Be specific (7) Solution on page 34 Page 28 PINTS WEST CCC II (Three Centuries Part 2) hose readers who followed me through the first part of thenonus It was plane to see that the Britannia’s High Street neighbour, the decimus Century in the multi-award-winning Pinctæ Occidēns London Inn, was also needed for the thirsty market traders just along TXCVIII may now wish to do something more exciting, perhaps by the High Street. Those two watering holes seem to have been content observing paint or grass pursuing their natural processes. I would cer- with their given names but the New Market House on the other side of tainly not wish to further try the patience of those of you who may have the High Street has changed its name several times, although it has now already been disappointed that this Pinctæ Occidēns XCIX, although gone back to being the New Market. In a couple of words, it was not being the numerus undecentum, does not have a nubilely illustrated page the birthplace of thoroughbred horse racing but it is said that a land- three. It should be noted that this would have been Pinctæ Occidēns IC lord named Heath was often a little horse from shouting at some of the if Romulus and Remus had lived in colder climes, as one might have noisier patrons to get them to put a sock in it or, if not, to leave their expected. After all, they were the sons of Mars, from Slough presum- plates and hoof it. Not really what you might call a shoo-in for them. ably, were suckled by a she-wolf, probably when they wandered up to Incidentally, a ‘cockle to a penny bun’ is odds of 10-1. Wolverhampton, and were fed by a woodpecker, possibly in Hereford. The other end of the present High Street was at the time known as If you are still reading on, please take care as your ice cream with its Union Street. The New Model trades unions of the day may have repre- XCIX chocolate flake may melt before you finish this ongoing piece sented those on page three of the broadsheet newspapers. The Swan Inn of purple prose about Weston-super-Mare’s three centuries of ale-filled on the corner of Union Street joined the Railway Hotel in Regent Street, watering holes. An IC flake would obviously keep it frozen for longer. if you are keeping track of all this. The Swan probably had swansdown Last time, we left the story of our first serious century alewise most pillows for a better night’s sleep than the Railway sleepers achieved. At appropriately at the Strand Hotel, if you follow my thread. Now we the other end of Union Street was the Three Queens on Oxford Street, come to the third quarter of the nonus decimus Century, when the town another watering hole that has kept changing its name, possibly to blend grew apace and many more watering holes appeared. A good thing, one in with its changing surroundings as it was most appropriately named might well say, as in those days the townsfolk did not have to fear that the Kameleon in its last incarnation. The petrifiedWhite Lion joined the hydraulic fracturing might be involved, the Otto cycle having only just Globe in St James’ St, long before Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Univer- started to threaten the development of the penny-farthing, or modern sal Studios films were shown in public houses. half pence, bicycle. Petroleum production was in its infancy and the As the town’s population approached 8,000 souls, some of whom drills would have been of less than one year of age and a minor novelty were probably in fact heels, the Claremont Hotel appeared and acquired for the locals. a Tap, possibly to promote its hot and cold running water, which did But getting back to our story, the Globe Hotel appeared in St James’ not become a common feature until the end of the Century. Another Street and could have been built earlier if Atlas had not held things up possibility is that it wished to attract dancers to stay there, although the as he preferred planes to spheres. The Britannia Inn on the High Street area offered for their gyrations would seem a little small and likely to may have originally only accepted payment for a round in the form of cause some early baths to be taken. The Bristol Arms or Bristol Hotel, farthings, halfpennies and pennies with the inn’s image on the reverse. possibly in the Locking Road for room security reasons, was perhaps That image also appeared on the white five pound note, printed in black the most shipshape of the fashionable local hostelries. The Elm Tree Inn, and white in those days before colour television was introduced on BBC which may not have welcomed infirm Dutchmen, was on the corner of Two for Wimbledon coverage in 1967, but ale prices were somewhat Meadow Street and Orchard Street and may have had hay for horses and lower then and if a white fiver were proffered one would probably five pieces of fruit a day for their riders. It is another name-changer, hav- receive in exchange a bunch of fives, as mentioned in Pierce Egan’s ing more recently become the Corner House, possibly serving plum pie Boxiana. Later, one might have been told to get on one’s penny-farthing. to the Horner boys, and the Orchard, possibly serving more cultivated Food would presumably also have to be purchased with pennies, prob- clients. The White Hart also claimed at one stage to be in Orchard Street ably the ones showing on their obverse the young Queen Victoria’s head but it then skipped or jumped to Hopkins Street before settling in Palmer with her hair in a bun. Obviously, Food Standards Agency regulations Row. One might say that that just about takes the topographical biscuit. and legislation were not a problem at that time, when the bun penny With that idiomatic expression for an absolute limit and not wishing could buy a penny bun. to incur the Editor’s wrath, I will stop there until next time. Dr John (exactly1,000 words) Weymouth Wetherspoon Wander Weymouth may be the home of GBR sailing But real ale buffs it is still not failing Weston diary and contact With at each end of St Thomas Street lain l Friday 13th September: Yatton Crawl. Meet at Weston train A Wetherspoon’s handy when arriving by bus or train station in time to catch the 7.49 train. Arrives Yatton 8.00. Visits to So one of them you will immediately see the Railway, Butchers Arms, Prince of Orange, Yatton Social Club With £2.09 real ales and 99p coffee or tea and Market Inn. Train back from Yatton at 11.26, arriving back in After traditional or vegetarian breakfasts at £2.99 Weston at 11.40 (there is an earlier train at 10.13 for those needing For visiting Portland Bill you’ll not be stony but fine to get back earlier). On an 1864 brewery site The Swan will now regale l Friday 25th October: ‘Not The Usual Town Centre Pub Crawl’. In summer the Pride of Weymouth Yachtsman pale An evening visiting pubs that rarely get visited on CAMRA socials. By Dorset Brewing Co or crafty Old Thumper by Ringwood Meet at the Red Admiral between 8.00 and 8.30. Then visiting the Greene King golden Ale Fresco and Abbot smoothly good George and Dragon, the Orchard and various others to be decided Dorset Piddle’s Cocky Hop punchily golden bright on the night. Blindmans Golden Spring with fresh aroma light Malty Dolphin Amber by Sunny Republic Brewing Company l Friday 15th November: Visit to Congresbury. Catch the 7.35 Courage rugby Best Bitter and Marston’s oaked Pedigree route 353 from Weston town centre. Visit to Bristol & District CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013, the Plough. Also the nearby Old Inn The William Henry at the other end of the street ‘No 1’ says and Ship & Castle. Not for Lloyds but the Frederick Place of Georgian days When the thus-named Duke of Gloucester nearby stayed Non-members are welcome at all socials. And Weymouth a fashionable watering hole was made Here Everards Original smooth and Arundel Black Stallion dark Contact With pale Butcombe Gold and Ringwood Old Thumper park Tim Nickolls: email [email protected] Beside Courage Directors pale and as in The Swan we do see or phone 01934 631931. Courage Best Bitter pale, Abbot and Marston’s Pedigree Dr John Page 29 PINTS WEST A Round with Robin he Orchard in Weston-super-Mare has recently opened at the corner let us dance inside the pub to a recep- Tof Meadow Street and Orchard Street. This pub was, for 100 years, tive audience; the beers are well kept known as the Elm Tree, but then became the Cornerhouse, and closed and the house ale Moles St Elmo’s Fire two years ago. We all believed it was going to become flats, like the was £2.00 a pint, Doom Bar and But- Queen Alexandra did further along Meadow Street. However, it has been combe £2.20 a pint, and the Wadworth’s beautifully refurbished with new panelling, a selection of interesting Bishop’s Tipple £2.50 a pint. I went on local photos and some interesting old and new enamel adverts. The beer Max’s Burnham-on-Sea crawl on the is always good at £2.50 a pint. 5th July, meeting at Pier Tavern, then Over in Bristol, the Seven Stars in Redcliff has monthly Reeds, followed by Dunstan House, ‘beeriodicals’ that consist of beers from counties or regions of the Royal Clarence Hotel, and finally the country, all bought together by manager Paul Wratton. These are George at Highbridge where the best normally held from the first Monday in the month. In May they were beer was Dartmoor Jail Ale. beers from Essex and Herts where many rarely seen brews were to be I went to the May beer festival of the Volunteer Tavern (St Judes, found; the tried and trusted Green Jack beers were my favourites. The Bristol) where I met the brewer from the New Bristol Brewery, Noel, June beeriodical starred beers from Cumbria: the Hardknott brewery and his bearded collie Joss. I tried both beers from that brewery, Fiery provided the best of the ales for me, but many other fine examples from Flame IPA and 365, an everyday beer. Also all the cask ales I tried there Kirby Lonsdale, Stringer, Tirrel, Eden and Kendal. In July, a week later were excellent including brews from Tiny Rebel (South Wales), Wild than usual, there were beers from Leicester and Northants (with one Beer Co (Somerset), Harbour (Cornwall) and Wiper and True (Bristol). or two from slightly over the border); a few worth a mention – Frog I have been to the Cider Press in Gloucester Road and I find I like the Island Croak and Stagger, Shardlows Cavendish Stout and Great Oakley pub, the beer, the pricing, the loyalty card, and subsequently have been Gobble were all very good, and thankfully a good temperature in the back four times. The Eastfield Inn has been extensively made over, and heat, without being chill. They have music on weekend afternoons; with good quality beer; this pub too does a loyalty card scheme and, the excellent Whisky Headed Buddies blues band are firm favourites as well as Holts and Butcombe beers, had Caledonian Flying Scots- with the visitors from Weston-super-Mare, and another time I drank man, and I had Caledonian XPA. The pub has a big garden and areas By The Horns Hopslinger American PA with Cascade and Chinook for smokers and children. The Horse and Groom (behind the Council hops majoring for this limited edition ale, and the amazing New Bristol House, aka City Hall) continues to give very good value, especially with Brewery Super Deluxe Stout there. In August they had ales from the CAMRA discount, and in June I had a lovely pint of Hunters Devon Scotland and they were very good indeed, and Tempest Long White Dreamer there. The boule season started in earnest at the Cornubia Cloud from Kelso was the highlight of that beeriodical for me. In pitch in mid June with the onset of fine weather. What could be better September, they will be from Staffordshire. than a game of boule with friends in a beautiful garden with a few jars I get to go to pubs in Somerset quite often, so when in Wells for a of fine ale such as Black Iris White Fang and Waen Wicker Man (which day in mid May, I went to the Full Moon where, as it was a fine day, I had a predictably smoky flavour) which I drank there recently? I always was able to appreciate the large garden and the Full Moon Bitter (Moles) have a soft spot for Celt beers, so I was pleased when the Gryphon at £2.30 a pint. On a wet Thursday evening in June the Fountain Inn in (near the Colston Hall) had Cat Scratched Celt on at £2.50 on the last Bridgwater hosted the Chalice Morris men, who I dance with, and they Tuesday in June. This was so hoppy that I was about to have a second,

Page 30 PINTS WEST but the barrel was empty so I made do with Wentworth’s Krieke which being in Keynsham, but erroneously as it is in Bitton, situated between fortunately for me was nothing like a Belgian lambic beer, not overly the canal and the river in Gloucestershire! A very hot day where we hopped but with still plenty of fruitiness managed to drink the pub dry of their Youngs Hummingbird bitter, and I went with others from Bristol CAMRA to Nottingham, firstly to also consumed quantities of wine and cider. In the evening I attended the Plough at Radford, where they had laid on food for us, then to the the Weston sub-branch social meeting at the Weston-super-Mare Lion’s Nottingham brewery, just across the yard, and the back end of a beer fes- Beer Festival which had 35 beers on, mostly local but with a sprinkling tival that provided a further six casks to the eight hand pumps on the bar. from the rest of England. It was good to see the organisers had listened We stayed there for at least two hours, before the coach took most of us to the complaints from last year and had portaloos! I also visited the to the city centre where we all split up to visit pubs of our choice. Phill same festival on Saturday afternoon, before progressing to the Bear the Pint and I chose to visit the Derby Road area pubs, and were pleased Inn for Weston Delta blues band and Titanic Plum Porter that co-owner with the Hand and Heart (which we went to twice, the best beer being Adam had arranged to get for my party that evening. On the Sunday North Star Endeavour) and the Organ Grinder (Blue Monkey ales and afternoon there were only about six casks left by 3pm at the Lion’s Beer guest beers notably Abbeydale Ascension) before making our way to a Festival but I found two that I liked and hadn’t tried before, hidden few of the centre pubs. I was impressed by the Malt Cross, a rescued away in a corner, being Ilkley Summer 4%5 and Marston Moor Ballet of music hall, with a good selection of beers. Swans 3.7%. The Claverham beer festival, about eight miles south of Bristol, Having written an article ‘An Introduction to Croydon Pubs’ in had a nautical theme this year. All the beers were priced at £2.40 a pint Pints West last year, my friends and I visited Croydon almost exactly a and, with 35 beers on, I couldn’t do justice to them all so tried some new year on, and were met by seven of the Croydon CAMRA branch who ones including a festival favourite in the shape of Coastal Golden Hinde. took us around their favourite selection of pubs, only three of which I Bristol CAMRA members came to Weston-super-Mare for a “sur- visited last year. We met in the George where I was able to have the prise” visit to the Good Beer Guide (GBG) pubs and other good ones Cronx Nectar (from a new brewery based in New Addington, where the too; I met them in the Cabot after they’d visited the Criterion and people call Croydon Cronx). We were then taken to the Dog and Bull, took two of them to see the Orchard. They also visited the Brit Bar, Croydon’s oldest pub, and enjoyed the city-centre garden; thence to the Regency, Bear Inn and Waverley, concluding at Off the Rails. Spread Eagle, a former Nat West bank now owned by Fuller’s, where On a friend’s birthday a group of us from Weston-super-Mare, Bris- they give 50p off a pint for CAMRA members. Then to the Green tol and Berrow went to Dartmouth from Paignton by steam train, thence Dragon, local Pub of the Year for two years running, where I had the by coal-fired paddle steamer to Totnes, for a pub crawl. Before leaving Dark Star Festival (15% discount for CAMRA here) then back to Old Dartmouth we had time for a quick visit to the Cherub, an ancient pub Town and to the Royal Standard with a shady garden almost under the with GBG accreditation, and I drank the South Hams Eddystone ale from flyover, and to theBulls Head, the outside of which is garishly painted the five on offer. In Totnes we started at theAlbert Inn in Bridgetown, in Crystal Palace FC colours, but both pubs with good beers. We caught home of the Bridgetown Brewery, which has an image of Albert Einstein a tram to Addiscombe and visited Claret (many times a winner of local on the pub sign and a secluded garden; then to the Dartmouth Inn for Pub of the Year) for Titanic Chocolate Vanilla Stout, and finally to the big screen cricket and Otter Ales, the Steam Packet Inn where we sat Cricketers where we played very bad darts whilst drinking Harveys by the river and drank Bay’s Howzat, then up the steep hill to the Bay Sussex Ale. Locals John and Dave made sure we got back to East Horse Inn and aptly drank Bay’s Devon Dumpling, and finally to the Croydon station by bus and after a half pint of Fuller’s ESB in the Mad White Hart for the Church End What the Foxes Hat. Bishop at Paddington, we returned to Bristol, Weston-super-Mare and On my 65th birthday I spent the greater part of the day with friends Berrow. at one of my favourite pubs, the Lock Keeper, shown in the GBG as Robin E Wild

Bristol & District CAMRA Pub Of The Year 2009 MEALS SERVED EVERY DAY 3 Real Ales Including Micros and a Real Cider All Real Ales/Cider £2.30 a Pint on Sunday & Monday evenings from 5.30pm to CAMRA Members (show card) Badminton Road, Mayshill, Nr Frampton Cotterell, Bristol. BS36 2NT T: 01454 773161 Associate Member Since 2002 E: [email protected]

Page 31

PINTS WEST Readers’ Letters again it is difficult to have a look at the hand WARNING From the Management of the Readers are welcome to send pumps to see what is on, which takes a lot of

letters to the Pints West Editor ducking and diving to see what ale you fancy. Hope & Anchor

I must say this about this selection of drinkers, ExceptionalBEER Public House SPILL

[email protected] there is no comment, when requesting a taster. Steve Plumridge, It usually takes a bit of stomach pushing to DON’T Garden Flat, 6 Royal York Villas, reach the bar. Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JR Right, you have obtained your pint, and being the gentleman that you are, you with- draw from the bar, and settle yourself in a seat Your ideas count to enjoy a pint of the landlord’s finest. Sitting lots of strong feelings from residents nearby. Yeo Valley Lions Claverham Beer Festival quietly supping away, you cannot but overhear After I went knocking on doors for a press is already looking forward to 2014 which will one of the assembled drinkers because he has release for The Post last month, I came across be its twelfth year. a voice that could shatter glass, as Professor two Facebook sites and a Yahoo group set The theme proposed is “The Glorious Henry Higgins would say. Perhaps not as loud up in defence of the retention of the pub set Twelfth” which relates to the August date as Sergeant Major Britton (look him up) but up by locals. More than 130 objections have when the grouse-shooting season opens. We overpowering all other conservation in the now been submitted to Bristol City Council will enlarge this to encompass “Huntin Shootin pub. The guy is your ‘barrack room lawyer’ opposing plans to demolish the 110-year-old and Fishin”. If any members or readers have who has an opinion on everything, which is pub to make way for housing. suggestions of appropriate beers they would usually rubbish. Just a thought – why do these The pub was a place that offered like to see featured the committee would be guys wear gaudy shirts? somewhere for music, art, performances, very grateful. It may also be the case that any Now for a classic – the pub has the usual groups like the WI to meet, and a local of our local breweries and micro-breweries hubbub of conversation, when in walks a gang football club. There isn’t another local pub would consider an appropriate name for new of girls out on a hen night. It’s like sitting in that offers this, nor is there a local pub that beers they are considering. In which case we the parrot house in the zoo, and all the old offers a family-friendly environment that also would love to feature them if between us we men’s eyes are out like organ stops, looking offers food. At a recent community meeting can manage the logistics. at the young ladies’ figures, bringing back people expressed strongly the desire to have a We can be contacted easily through the memories, with the girls drinking the latest pub that offered food and a place that family website www.claverham-beer-festival.org.uk concoction which is the ‘in drink’. would feel able to bring their children. Tony and would be very grateful for suggestions. Now I tend to do some of my drinking of a Philips, the owner of the pub, attended the Nigel Carson. lunch time. Picture the scene – two old biddies meeting and explained that, though he had come in to eat who remind me of Gert & Daisy planned to serve food and in fact fitted an Customers (Elsie & Doris Walters) (look them up too). expensive kitchen, he had never got it running Fellow drinkers, if any of you should have The conversation goes something like this: because the recession hit and it was no longer read my previous letters (I hope at least two “What would you like to drink?” “Oh I don’t viable. He did however accept that had he run or three of you have) you know that I have know, I used to like a half of Red Barrel, see if the kitchen this may have seen the pub kept opinions on various topics on the aspects of they have any of that?” “No!” “Well I would afloat. Mr Philips went on to back up what beer drinking, and of the ambience of pubs, i.e. have a wine, but it goes to my head. I tell you he had said in the article in The Post, that he children, music, sport, etc, the last being my what, as we are eating I’ll have a small Guin- would consider talking to parties interested view on landlords. ness, that’s supposed to be good for you.” in leasing the pub, and had himself spoken to If the Editor still feels inclined to carrying As I already said, I like to enter a bar with breweries about taking on the pub. However, on printing a further diatribe from my good a few beer drinkers, leaning on the bar, but in a recent meeting with an interested party, it self, I would like to give you my views on who move to one side to allow me to view the seems as though the meeting hasn’t produced us, yes us, the customers, clientele, drinkers, pump clips, with one old fellow saying, “The a clear decision and this situation is likely to imbibers, whatever you like to be known as, Grudingtons is good today.” be ongoing whilst planning application is still bearing in mind, I am one of you. So there you have it, how I view a lot of sought. We come in various shapes and sizes. you fellow drinkers. If you see yourself as one Ward councillor Afzal Shah (Labour, Myself? I think I am rotund, but I believe to of them, do not be afraid to come up to me in Easton) has also been involved in the some of my friends (yes I do have a few – I a pub, buy me a pint, and say, “You’ve got me campaign and spoken of there being “few think) I’m a ‘fat git’, which I think is more down to fine art.” Or if you so wish, solve the community focal points these days” and appropriate. two mysteries I gave you, buy me a pint and, if supporting people who would love to see their Any rate I think the ideal sight when you have them right, I will congratulate you. local restored. He went on to say, “Pubs are entering a pub is to see one or two blokes Cheers one and all, may all your problems having a difficult time at the moment but the standing at the bar, with plenty of room to be solved over a pint. old Greenbank pub was more than just a brick see the ‘wares’ the landlord has on display, John Gatty, building – it had its own life and that’s what by viewing the hand pumps. This is fine of a Thornbury. we want to breathe new life into.” weekday lunch time visit, but, go in there of a A spokesman from the Bristol Pubs Group Friday evening and you will confronted with Save the Greenbank campaign and told us: “We feel that the true value of the pub a group of youngsters, perhaps late teens or Bristol Pubs Group’s help to the community must be considered. We early twenties, stood in a group in front of the In June 2009 I was nearing the end of a also question if this has been fairly marketed bar, supping lager, who do not have the slight- period of house hunting in Easton. I came for use as a pub, at a realistic price, which we est intention of moving so as one can view across a lovely house which had a pub (the believe should be the first step. We have not the hand pumps on display. One would then Greenbank) at the end of road and so, over a noticed advertisements on websites where be greeted by some sarcastic comment when pint with my wife, we decided that this was the we may expect to see it offered for sale as a requesting a taste of a particular ale. This after clincher for us and bought the house. I didn’t pub. The Greenbank Hotel is the only pub pushing and elbowing your way to the bar, think that, after two years, it would close and in Greenbank and is situated in one of many then trying to extricate yourself away from the I would be campaigning to stop it from being backstreets in this very densely populated bar to sup your chosen beverage. As soon as demolished to make way for a new three- area. We understand that there are parties who you leave a space behind you, it’s like the tide storey building comprising six three-bedroom would consider taking over the pub if it was coming in, the space is filled. flats and three three-bedroom maisonettes. offered at a realistic figure. Either way, we When entering a pub of an evening, when I am glad I got involved in the campaign support the local community in their hope that it is more of a beer drinkers’ establishment, to save it. I feel strongly that a local pub can the Greenbank Hotel will reopen as a pub and, what is likely to greet you then? Two or three make a real different to a community – and the in light of the strong local opposition, the hope groups of beer drinkers, leaning on the bar community in Easton have come out in support the planning application will be rejected.” chatting, and for some unknown reason, to me of the Greenbank pub. The Bristol Pubs Group have been instru- at least, the topic of conservation is golf. Once The loss of the pub has brought about mental in being able to understand how one Page 32 PINTS WEST News from the Great Western Brewing Company

he Great Western Brewery is an independent brewing company founded by the Stone family in 2007 and located in Hambrook. TThe Stones also have the Rising Sun pub in nearby Frampton Cotterell. News of the brews is that, in addition to the brewery’s permanent range of cask beers – Maiden Voyage, Classic Gold and Old Higby – a new beer has been brewed to coincide with the commissioning of their Hambrook, Bristol, BS16 1RF new bore hole. Now using their own spring water, plus the best of English hops and malts, they have produced Exhibitionist. This 4.5 % amber ale utilises Challenger and Fuggles hops to give a rich flavour. Visit e Brewery Shop Kevin Stone explained the benefits of their own water supply: “With the best summer for a number of years, the spring water has been a blessing. Consistent hot weather can cause problems for us smaller Real Ales Direct To The Public brewers as we have to use the mains water to cool the wort while being transferred to the fermenter. We have recorded incoming mains water temperatures of 19.5 degrees. When trying to cool the wort to 18 degrees, it becomes an impossible task. Our water comes from a Mon - Fri 10:00am - 5:00pm depth of 200 feet and is a constant 11.5 degrees. This gives us the same transfer times all year round, resulting in a more consistent product.” Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm Also at the brewery they have installed a new bottling machine. At the time of writing it had yet burst into action, even though the beer had been brewed and was sitting in a conditioning tank. By now though they should have beers available bottled by themselves. Over at the Rising Sun (which is effectively the brewery tap), the pub recently held its annual ‘Beer & Music Festival’ at the beginning of July. Kevin said: “For the first time in four years the sun came out – and SEDUCTIVELY so did the beer lovers. Twenty ales and twenty ciders left a few people with a weekend to remember! A great time was had by all concerned, SIMPLE culminating in a surprise performance on stage by Beverly Knight. Wow, one week performing in the car park of the Rising Sun, the following week performing at Buckingham Palace for the Queen! Roll on next year.” The next ‘open day’ at the brewery shop (located at the brewery, www.gwbrewery.co.uk naturally) will be Saturday 30th November, in time to pop along and try some Christmas tipples. SP

Pints West Clothing Order Form Wear Pints West Price each Quantity Size Colour YOU can now wear Pints West! T-SHIRT £16.00 ...... T-shirts, polo shirts, sweat shirts and POLO SHIRT £19.50 ...... fleeces are now available to order with an SWEAT SHIRT £21.50 ...... embroidered Pints West logo on the left FLEECE £25.50 ...... breast. All are available in navy, black, Prices include postage & packing. If your order is for a selection bottle green, grey, red, dark royal, of items more complex than this form can accommodate, please purple and burgundy, and in sizes S, M, print your exact requirements on a separate sheet of paper. L, XL and XXL. All except the fleeces are NAME ...... also available in jade, sky blue, gold and white. ADDRESS ...... Make cheques payable to “Bristol & ...... District CAMRA”, and post your order to 19 Willada Close, Bedminster, Bristol ...... POSTCODE ...... BS3 5NG. Email enquiries to EMAIL ADDRESS (in case of queries) [email protected]. Please allow up to 4 weeks for delivery...... goes about making a stand against the building or two, whilst trying to see if the Mr Philips requested by the community. With the Sweet- plans and putting this into action. The fact that would consider leasing the pub, or looking at mart continental supermarket and Maitreya people who don’t live in the local area would other ways of acquiring the pub such as with a Social (award-winning vegetarian restaurant) put so much time and effort into the campaign bridging loan from the council with potential nearby one can see how a revised Greenbank helps raise the spirits of others and enables us input from the community. All possibilities pub could fit in to the area and be hugely suc- to realise that there can be hope in a desperate are considered. This could be a great busi- cessful. situation. ness for any potential buyer or leaser. It is in To view the application visit Bristol City The situation remains one in which we a thriving area of Easton with businesses such Council’s website and enter planning applica- have to ensure planning permission doesn’t as a bakery, deli and café recently opened and tion number 13/02017/P. go through, which will be decided in a month doing well. A big focus should be on food as Nick Murphy, Easton. Page 33 PINTS WEST Severn Vale CAMRA

evern Vale CAMRA is a sub-branch of the Bristol & District branch ‘Meet the Brewer’ of the Campaign for Real Ale. The sub-branch covers roughly Sthe area bounded by Thornbury in the north, Severn Beach in the Jon Comer of Arbor Ales south, the River Severn in the west and the M5 in the east. just happened to drop in to the Salutation, Ham – just outside of beer. This means that the beer is naturally conditioned and compressed I Berkeley – one evening recently. Amongst other beers on the bar air can be used rather than carbon dioxide (CO2 bottles are expensive were Arbor’s Triple Hop (version 10, no less) and Oyster Stout. Sadly, and CO2 in contact with beer can turn it into a fizzfest). OK – not real not beers you’d normally expect to find in the Severn Vale area (the Salu- ale, according to CAMRA’s definition, but an answer to beer/condition/ tation is outside of Severn Vale’s official area). Pete, the landlord (apolo- storage problems? It should be pointed out though that many breweries gies for calling him Paul in the last edition), mentioned that Jon Comer that keg their beers do not do so in the same manner as Arbor Ales do, would be doing a “Meet the Brewer” session, hosted at the Salutation, on and you cannot beat a good cask-conditioned beer. Tuesday, 13th August. Well – it would have been rude to not go. Arbor beers on the bar that night were (among others, once again) Unfortunately, I arrived slightly late – my transport (aka bike) seem- Tasmanian Devil, a 4.6% amber ale made with Australian hops, and the ingly taking forever to negotiate the seven miles or so of well-manured interestingly named Twigs in Space, a one-off, 4.9% ultra-hopped brown back roads between Thornbury and Ham. This meant I initially had to ale product of “Freestyle Friday”, Fridays being the brewer’s “Let’s perch slightly outside of optimal earshot of Jon’s talk due to the number do something new and unusual” day. Needless to say, samples of these of folk already gathered. Great to see so many turn up. were served to all. Jon covered all manner of subjects from the price of hops over the Jon also brought several bottled beers to sample. Although I’ve for- years to brewing collaborations with other brewers, and modern kegs (i.e. gotten most (must remember to be more geeky and make more notes!), not casks). Did you know that many modern kegs are disposable (cries the ones I do remember are: of “shame”)? We know that Arbor Ales “kegs” a number of their beers l Artisan – wonderfully hoppy and malty; (Jon doesn’t use the term “craft beer” for Arbor Ales any more since its l A French style Saison – lots of coriander and cardamom, and a French meaning has been polluted by big brewers and American micros): there yeast; is definite demand for some beers to last longer than the usual three or l De Rokji (with apologies if I spelled that wrongly) – Belgian style four days of a broached cask beer. Many publicans can’t shift speciality beer using smoked hops (that’s a new one to me); beers, strong beers, etc. within that time-frame. What I didn’t know is l Quad Dark Alliance (I think this name is wrong) – based on a previ- that the beer that Arbor kegs are not filtered, fined or pasteurised like the ous alliance brew with Moor Beer but with four times the quantity of keg beers of old and modern-day mass-produced beers. We were told it’s ingredients (except the water, of course!). basically the same beer that goes into casks, though it does get a shot of In Jon’s own words, some of these are “Marmite beers”. You either conditioning yeast. The keg itself has a liner (aka bag) that contains the love ’em or hate ’em. They certainly provoked some serious reactions beer. The pressure needed to get the beer out of the keg is then applied and comments! Great evening – thanks to Jon Comer of Arbor Ales, and between the keg and liner – and so never comes into contact with the Pete and Claire of the Salutation. Today, I need to de-manure my bike. Martin Farrimond Severn Vale diary and contact l Fri 6th Sept – Pub survey trip, Thornbury. l Fri 13th Sept – Regular monthly lunch at Old Spot, Dursley. l Wed 18th Sept – Sub-branch meeting, Bowl Almondsbury, 8:30pm. l Fri 4th Oct – Pub survey trip, pubs tba. l Fri 11th Oct – Regular monthly lunch at Old Spot, Dursley. l Thurs 17th Oct – Sub-branch meeting, Anchor, Oldbury on Severn, 8:30pm. l Fri 18th - Sun 20th Oct – Beer festival, Wheatsheaf, Thornbury (tbc). l Fri 25th - Sat 26th Oct – Beer festival, Christ the King Catholic club, Thornbury (tbc). l Fri 1st Nov – Pub survey trip, pubs tba. l Fri 8th Nov – Regular monthly lunch at Old Spot, Dursley. l Wed 20th Nov – Sub-branch meeting, venue tbc, 8:30pm. All are welcome to attend any of the pub visits and meetings. For the most up-to-date details, please check our diary page at severnvale. camrabristol.org.uk (you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook by clicking the links at the bottom of the diary page) or contact us directly by email to [email protected] or ainsdeng@blueyonder.

co.uk.

pub, 14. A bit cheap, 15. Fast dash, 16. Ethereal, 17. Atomiser, 18. Avengers. 18. Atomiser, 17. Ethereal, 16. dash, Fast 15. cheap, bit A 14. pub, Solution to the crossword on page 28

Rateable, 4. Yard of ale, 5. Commercial Rooms, 6. Quaffed, 7. Exporter, 8. Seedy Seedy 8. Exporter, 7. Quaffed, 6. Rooms, Commercial 5. ale, of Yard 4. Rateable,

22. Anemic, 23. Overseer, 24. Halcyons, 25. Parish. Down: 2. Schooner, 3. 3. Schooner, 2. Down: Parish. 25. Halcyons, 24. Overseer, 23. Anemic, 22.

Affray, 13. Leaf-clad, 15. Free, 17. Arab, 19. Get a lift, 20. Toecap, 21. Richmond, Richmond, 21. Toecap, 20. lift, a Get 19. Arab, 17. Free, 15. Leaf-clad, 13. Affray, Across: 1. Osprey, 5. Chequers, 9. White rum, 10. Sample, 11. Comatose, 12. 12. Comatose, 11. Sample, 10. rum, White 9. Chequers, 5. Osprey, 1. Across:

Page 34 PINTS WEST Clicks and whirs – and lots of water s CAMRA’s ‘brewery liaison officer’ for Zerodegrees, I have been Ainvited by Anna Schwaeble, the brewster, to watch a morning’s brew- ing. A delivery arrives shortly after she starts brewing, and at the precise moment that the grist mill gets clogged up. If it’s left, the computer will stop the water supply and the computer program won’t be able to cope – on the other hand the driver can’t be left standing outside... This is not a big brewery with staff running around doing different jobs, if it needs doing you have to do it yourself. It’s a computer-controlled brewing kit, a very compact set-up; the brewer stands on a raised platform between two brewing vessels and in front of a control panel. The British terms mash tun and copper don’t really apply to these vessels, as the wort is transferred back and forth between them. The panel looks very complicated, but after I had spent a while star- ing at all the symbols trying to understand it, I realised that the majority of the symbols were valves and most of the pipe lines were cold water lines. Anyone who has done any home brewing will understand why – most of the work is in cleaning the equipment. In this case the computer takes care of the inside by pumping water around, but there is still plenty of cleaning to do on the outside. Another distraction – because of an order at very short notice 50 mini- casks have to be filled – at least I can help with this. There are sensors all over the equipment which feed information to the Anna Schwaeble at Zerodegrees when she received an award for computer, which in turn controls the heating of the wort and its flow by Pale Ale (from branch chairman Richard Brooks) last year opening and closing valves and switching pumps on and off. The program is chosen to suit the particular beer being brewed. From the control stand The last stage is to transfer the wort to a fermenting vessel, this is it’s possible to hear everything going on and it helps to be familiar with the done manually with a large diameter hose and pump, then the yeast is various clicks and whirs which prove that the correct valve or pump has added. The processing has taken about five hours altogether. It will take operated. When a warning sounded, Anna knew that this temperature alarm a week to brew and then it will be left to mature for another three. After could safely be ignored, because the sudden inflow of hot wort had misled that it will be transferred to a serving tank above and behind the bar, the sensor – it righted itself as soon as the vessel was full. from where it will be dispensed by gravity. More trouble! The engineers have arrived and need to be shown what All the beers served in the brew house are real ale; there are five has gone wrong with the plumbing. They open a few hatches and poke regulars – Pale Ale, Pilsner, Mango Wheat Ale, Wheat Ale and Black around a bit then disappear back to their van. A quick check shows that Lager. I particularly like the Wheat Ale and Black Lager. Specials are it hasn’t been fixed, so I run down to their van to try to persuade them to brewed about once a quarter; recent ones include a pink fruit beer, a come back. Later they suggest that the problem might require shifting one smoky mild and a Bock beer. of the brewing vessels – luckily it won’t, but it will take until the next day A most interesting and enjoyable morning – and the beer? The prize- to sort out. winning Pale Ale. Chris Rogers Chipping Sodbury real ale news ne hot evening in July a few local CAMRA members from the OThornbury and Yate area got together for a social visit to the Portcullis Hotel in Chipping Sodbury and to taste the real ales on offer from Andy, the new landlord who’s been there since March. Apparently, Andy has future plans to turn around the Portcullis by introducing six new real ale hand pumps in the front bar. He has previous experience of running a successful pub listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, the Black Horse in Preston, Lancashire. Beers sampled on the night from the local Wickwar Brewery were Cotswold Way, a traditional bitter at 4:2%, and BOB at 4:0%. And from the Great Western Brewery there was Classic Gold at 4:5%, a very nicely balanced golden ale. All were served at a pleasantly cool cellar temperature on a hot night. With Andy’s experience of Robinson’s Lancashire beers he could be introducing something quite different to the Portcullis in the near future. The Portcullis Hotel Andy has signed up with South Gloucestersire Local Authority and Chipping Sodbury Chamber of Commerce to take an active part in the Chipping Sodbury Festival of Food and Drink on Saturday September 28th with samples of beer, cider and food available from 12 noon until 6pm. The group then moved on to the George Hotel across the road to sample the selection of real ales on offer from Mark and Christine, who are also new landlords at this freehouse. Mark and Christine are very enthusiastic CAMRA members and they also have previous experience of running a pub listed in the Good Beer Guide, namely the Barn near Llantrisant, South Wales. Beers sampled on the night were Box Steam Tunnel Vision at 4:2%, a nice traditional amber bitter; Moles Gold at 3.8%, a very light pleasant beer, plus ales from Wickwar – all again served at a very pleasantly cool cellar temperature. At the time of writing, they were planning their first beer and cider festival at the George Hotel, to be held during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Over by the time you read this, we trust it will have gone well. Mike Lawrence The George Hotel Page 35 PINTS WEST CAMRA membership passes 150,000! mere four years after membership of CAMRA, the Campaign Then there is CAMRA’s flagship publication, the best selling Good for real Ale, topped the 100,000 figure for the first time since its Beer Guide. This is the leading guide to the real ale pubs in the country Aformation in the early 1970’s, the figure has now risen dramati- and points readers in the direction of great beer both locally and when cally to exceed 150,000 members. you are on your travels. CAMRA also produces a whole range of other It is astonishing to think that it took 38 years to get to the 100k mark first-class books such as guides to real cider and perry, pubs walks of our yet it took a mere four additional years to increase its membership by major towns and cities, beers to “try before you die”, the Good Bottled a further 50k. In fact, at the time of writing, membership now stands in Beer Guide, etc. excess of 152,000 members. CAMRA campaigned to save historic breweries such as Wolver- A brief history of CAMRA’s membership growth: hampton & Dudley, Batemans brewery and Cains for example. On March 16th 1971, the date of its formation, CAMRA had just 4 CAMRA was at the forefront in achieving licensing hours reform, members. a move giving licensees unrivalled flexibility, and the first such reforms By 1973, CAMRA had 5,000 members. since the First World War. 1974 . 9,000 members. CAMRA campaigned tirelessly to break up the Big Six Brewers’ 1976 . . 30,000 members. monopoly of the UK beer market, with the Monopolies and Mergers 1997 . . . 50,000 members. Report spelling the end of market domination for the global brewers. 2005 . . . . 75,000 members. CAMRA also played a major part in lobbying for the introduction of 2009 . . . . . 100,000 members. Progressive Beer Duty, excise duty relief which acted as the catalyst for 2013 ...... 150,000+ members and growing fast! substantial microbrewery growth. Between 2002 and 2010 the number of breweries in the UK more than doubled. CAMRA campaigns for the consumer in many ways and has had CAMRA successfully lobbied for the mandatory rate relief for shops some notable achievements. CAMRA undoubtedly saved real ale as a and post offices to be extended to pubs. result of its formation. In fact CAMRA coined the phrase “real ale”. In 2007 CAMRA was a lead member of the Local Works Coalition There are now around 1,100 breweries in the UK – the highest num- when the Sustainable Communities Act became law. ber for well over 70 years. The demand for real ale has been prompted In 2009, CAMRA first exercised its status as a ‘super complainant’ by CAMRA’s campaigning and these breweries produce many thou- and challenged the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to examine anti-com- sands of different real ales between them. petitive practices in the UK pub market. Although the OFT ruled against CAMRA branches hold beer festivals across the country throughout the complaint, CAMRA did secure from the Government a commitment the year. They are organised and run by volunteers, who give up their to deal with the pub companies if they did not introduce clear codes of own time to promote real ale and real cider to the public. The Bristol practice by June 2011. & District branch holds a beer festival at Brunel’s Old Station, Temple This year, following lots of lobbying of MPs by many of our mem- Meads, Bristol each year. And the Bath & Borders branch holds one bers and an e-petition which reached over 109,000 signatures, plus over annually in Bath, though with changing venues of late. 1,000 members descending on Parliament, CAMRA was successful in getting the dreaded beer duty escalator scrapped. CAMRA campaigns for diverse beer styles – the results of this can be seen on the bars of pubs selling real milds, stouts, blond beers, CAMRA pub discounts porters, barley wines, wheat beers and even ales with fruit and other An extra benefit of CAMRA membership is that a number of pubs flavours. offer discounts on the price of real ale or traditional cider to card- CAMRA campaigns for real cider and perry. carrying members. Some examples in the Bristol & District area: CAMRA branches produce around 100 newsletters or magazines – l Anchor, Thornbury the one you are reading now has won a number of national awards and l Bank, John Street, Bristol is the current CAMRA magazine of the year. These all promote real l Barrel, Thornbury ale and also inform the public of what is happening locally to pubs and l Black Swan (Dirty Duck), Westbury-on-Trym breweries, and contain other news and features. l Bristol Cider House, Surrey Street, Bristol CAMRA campaigns to promote and save pubs. l Bristol Cider Shop, Christmas Steps, Bristol There are many other ways in which CAMRA campaigns but far too l Brit Bar, High Street, Weston-super-Mare many to mention here. l Cider Press, Gloucester Road, Bristol Oh – we also have a lot of fun on the way with a whole range of l Coach & Horses, Braggs Lane, Old Market socials, pub tours, brewery visits and trips to other parts of the country. l Coach & Horses, Highland Square, Clifton l Cornubia, Temple Street, Bristol The Bristol & District branch is fast approaching 3,000 members. l Drawbridge, St Augustines Parade, Bristol Most people join CAMRA because they support our aims and also love l Globe, Frampton Cotterell good pubs and beer. However, there are also benefits to joining which l Grapes, Chipping Sodbury include: l Gryphon, Colston Street, Bristol l 10% off prices at toprooms.com; l Hope & Anchor, Jacobs Wells Road, Bristol l 15% off National Express prices; l Horse & Groom, St George’s Road, Bristol l £20 pounds of beer vouches for use in Weatherspoon pubs; l Horts, Broad Street, Bristol l 15% off UK Boat Hire; l New Inn, Mayshill l 10% off all non-sale/non-offer products with Cotswold Outdoor; l Old Stillage, Redfield l 10% off with Cottages4you. l Orchard Inn, Hanover Place, Bristol Then of course there are the many pubs that give CAMRA members l Queens Arms, Bleadon discount upon production of a valid membership card. Being a member l Robert Fitzharding, Bedminster you can be as active as you want or simply enjoy the fact that by being l Royal Oak, Lower Bristol Road, Twerton, Bath a member you are supporting what has been called “Europe’s most suc- l Seven Stars, Thomas Lane, Redcliffe, Bristol cessful consumer movement”. l Three Tuns, St George’s Road, Hotwells, Bristol So, if you haven’t joined yet or, if for some reason you are a lapsed l Volunteer Tavern, New Street, St Judes, Bristol member, why not join today? There is a membership form in this maga- l Westbury Park Tavern, Henleaze zine or you can join on line at www.camra.org.uk/join. l Woolpack Inn, St Georges, Weston-super-Mare Membership rates are very reasonable and, as a member, you will The actual details of the discounts vary from pub to pub and from also receive a monthly newspaper What’s Brewing and a quarterly time to time. The discount is at the discretion of the pub and can be magazine Beer. as little or as large as the pub feels suits their business, or may be So many people say, “I meant to do this ages ago” when joining. So, withdrawn at any time without notice. no time like the present! Pete Bridle Page 36 PINTS WEST 26:Layout 1 24/1/11 12:56 Page 1

Real Ale on the increase at the Cider Press ne might think twice about popping into a pub named the “Cider Marc is keen to get the pub on the real ale map in Bristol and encourag- Press” in search of a decent pint of real ale, but since taking over at es real ale fans, young and not so young, to give it a try. Food and drink Othis pub 18 months ago, Marc Casey has seen real ale sales increase is keenly priced. Customers can join a ‘Yellow Card’ loyalty scheme dramatically. No surprise, though, as Marc has managed a number of pubs which provides discounts and offers, and CAMRA members also benefit around Bristol including the Cat & Wheel, the Hobgoblin, the Jersey Lily from a generous 10% off a pint. Example food offerings include two on Blackboy Hill, and both Hogsheads. Remember them? There was one in meals for £7.50 or a burger and a pint for £4.95. the City Centre and one on Gloucester Road. And there’s plenty to do whilst you’re there – you can partake of a Marc has always been an advocate of real ale and at the Cider Press, game of air hockey, table football or pool. It’s also a great place to watch which is located near to the old Baths in Bishopston, he has pretty much your favourite sports on one of the numerous TVs around the place. Free a free rein when it comes to what real ales he can sell. When he took over wi-fi too. There is an outdoor drinking area and the pub offers disabled there were three real ales on sale; this has now increased to four. Interest- facilities. Pictures of famous Bristolians adorning the walls include ing choice too – on a recent visit there was Edelweiss from Dorset Brewing Carey Grant, Keith Floyd, Gary Mabbutt and WG Grace. Company, Dorothy Goodbody’s Summertime Ale from Wye Valley, and So, next time you’re on the lookout for a decent pint of real ale in Village Idiot from White Horse. His biggest seller, though, is Proper Job Bishopston, check out the Cider Press. Ali Bridle from St Austell. The Dorothy Goodbody range from Wye Valley also goes down very well with his customers. Mark’s philosophy is that he’ll try anything and, if it goes well, he’ll have it back. In Dartmoor’s finest fact, if there’s a real ale you’d like to see on the bar, let him know and he’ll try and get it. In addition to the real ales, there is of course also real cider and perry, with up to twelve on at any one time. These include Wyld Wood, Explorer, Black Rat, Old Rosie, Cheddar Valley, Orchard Pig’s Navel Gazer and ciders from Newtons. Although the target market for the Cider Press is geared towards students (it used to be “It’s A Scream” and, for those of us who go back a bit further, the “Sun Valley Restaurant and Bar”!), Dartmoor Brewery is England’s highest brewery sited at 1400 feet in the heart of Devon’s beautiful Dartmoor National Park. The brewery Advertise in Pints West was founded in 1994 and moved into a much 10,000 copies printed quarterly larger purpose built premises in 2005. Expansion has been lead by its most famous Dartmoor Brewery Ltd and distributed to hundreds of Station Road, Princetown, Devon brand Jail Ale which over the years has found a PL20 6QX pubs throughout the region large following of dedicated drinkers who like its Also available to read on-line at exceptional balance of flavour and aroma. Telephone: 01822 890789 Fax: 01822 890798 www.bristolcamra.org.uk Email: Contact the editor, Steve Plumridge This is a full bodied mid-brown beer with a well [email protected] [email protected] rounded flavour and a sweet Moorish aftertaste. www.dartmoorbrewery.co.uk

Page 26 by Eddie Taberner The Bar Code

Page 37 PINTS WEST

Steve Comer visits a new real ale brewery in Cyprus Real ale comes to the island of Aphrodite! hhh, summer holidays in the Mediterranean. Sun, sand, sea, and Hobnob (4.5% abv) an English style nut brown ale with an oaty flavour; temperatures pushing 30 degrees C. Time to relax with family London Porter (4.5% abv) a ruby black porter with a roasted malt finish. Aand friends and have a drink or two, but .... for most of us real ale By the time you read this it is likely that the brewery will also be lovers that’s the problem. We have to endure days and days of nothing but brewing a German style kellerbier, and West Coast, an American-style fizzy tasteless keg lagers, or boring bottled beers (which in most bars are IPA which will weigh in at 6.0% abv. merely the same as those on tap). Something for most tastes there, with more than a nod to the mix of Wouldn’t it be nice to go on holiday in the sun, and have some decent beer styles brewed by many beer cafes in the USA. Aphrodite’s Rock are ales to drink at the same time? Well now you can – on the island of Cyprus, also looking to brew special ales in addition to the main range, and an just over four hours’ flying time from Bristol. The new Aphrodites Rock experimental brew was on the stove when I visited. Brewing Company on the island is brewing a range of fine real ales Of course the big challenge for real ale in a hot climate is keeping available on draught or in the bottle. The brewery launched its products to the beer cool enough to stay drinkable. The 10-litre boxes are ideal for the public at the end of May this year and is now busy picking up outlets that, as they can fit easily in a bar’s upright fridge, and the beer can stay in bars in the the west of Cyprus. They also sell their beer direct from the fresh. (And as the author can testify, they also fit well in a fridge in a brewery in bottle-conditioned form, and in 10-litre ‘mini polypin’ boxes. holiday apartment!) All the beers are also bottled at the brewery and sold The brewery is on the main road between the tourist resorts of Paphos in bottle-conditioned format (or ‘real ale in a bottle’ as CAMRA likes to and Polis near the village of Tsada. It is in a beautiful location tucked away promote it). in the hills, and was previously used to produce wine. It’s a family busi- You can buy beer direct from the brewery, and there is a small bar ness, the brainchild of Bill and Jean Ginn who come from Yorkshire. Their set up for sampling halves or pints. You can sit on a terrace in the sun or daughter Melanie is one of the the shade and admire the mountain views whilst deciding which beer (or brewers along with Chris Richards, beers) you’ll take back to your holiday accommodation. The brewery tap an American head brewer formerly is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 3pm and of the St. George Brewery Co. in prices start from €2.95 per pint. When I visited there was a steady stream Virginia. When Aphrodite’s Rock of customers calling in for supplies, a good sign for such a new venture. was being set up they advertised Future plans include a members’ club which will run social events, for an American brewer, and Chris and entitle card holders to a discount, and they will be running their first saw the advert and met Melanie beer festival at the brewery on Saturday 5th October. while they were both attending a The owners of Aphrodite’s Rock are to be congratulated on getting Brewlab course. this venture up and running. It wasn’t easy, the wheels of Cypriot At the time of my visit (late bureaucracy can turn very slowly, and it took them over three years to get June) the following beers were the necessary permits to begin operation. Many might have given up and available: walked away, but they stuck it out, and we can now taste the results. Yorkshire Rose (3.8% abv) a For further information on the brewery check out their website: medium-body session bitter; www.aphroditesrock.com.cy. Stratford Gold (3.8% abv) a straw You can fly direct to Paphos from Bristol with Easyjet from less than coloured pale ale made from a £100 return, and with three package tour operators. blend of English and new world Steve Comer hops; Linn Shee (4.5% abv) a sweet- ish Irish style red ale made with crystal malt; Can’t get enough? Not every article submitted could be accommo- dated in this printed edition of Pints West. To read Attention licensees! more, follow the links to Pints West & Pints West Would you be happy to have a dedicated area in your pub to promote Extra from www.bristolcamra.org.uk. CAMRA? CAMRA has a range of posters and leaflets (for which we can provide holders). These promote our campaigns and inform the public. Promotional material includes posters and leaflets such as “It’s better Need more Pints Wests? down the pub”, beer style posters, cider & perry promotions, membership, fair deal for your local, etc. If your pub requires more copies of Pints West If you want to have a “CAMRA corner”, please get in touch (email (subject to availability), please contact Chris [email protected]) and we will be delighted to bring materials to Rogers: email [email protected]. your pub. We will also update the material as required. Page 38 Branch diary PINTS WEST Diary of the Bristol & District branch of CAMRA l Sat 7 Sept: Minehead Beer Festival, dep Cornubia 9.15am, return 8.30pm. l Tues 10 Sept: Committee Meeting, Gryphon 8pm. l Wed 11 Sept: Butcombe Meet the Brewer, Commercial Rooms 6.30pm. l Thurs 12 Sept: Event Timetable Planning Meeting, Gryphon 8pm. INTS WES l Fri 13 Sept: GBG Launch, Volunteer Tavern, St Judes, 12noon-6pm. P T l Tues 17 Sept: Surveying/Explorer Trip, dep 6.45pm Cornubia, East Mendips. l Thurs 19 Sept: BADRAG gathering, Downend Tavern, Fishponds, with brought to you entirely by possibility of ‘meet the brewer’, 7.30 pm. unpaid volunteers l Sat 21 Sept: RCH Brewery for CBOB awards and Survey Trip, dep Cornubia 9.45pm, return 6pm. Ten thousand copies of Pints West are distributed free l Wed 25 Sept: Branch Meeting, Waverley, Weston-super-Mare, 8pm, to pubs in and around the cities of Bristol and Bath ... coach dep Cornubia 6.45pm. and beyond. l Thurs 26 Sept: Bristol Pubs Group meeting, Bundy’s Bar, Clifton, 7pm. Letters: please email correspondence to: l Fri 27 Sept: Tasting Panel, 8pm Ashley Down Brewery (tbc). [email protected] l 27 Sept to 6 Oct: Cask Ale Week... or post it to: l Tues 1 Oct: The first planning meeting for the 2014 CAMRA Bristol Beer Festival, Gryphon, Colston Street (BS1 5AP), 8pm. We would very Pints West Editor, Steve Plumridge, much like to see any CAMRA volunteers that are interested in helping Garden Flat, 6 Royal York Villas, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JR. out with organising the festival, which is proposed to happen around the Published by the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign weekend of 15 March 2014 at Brunel’s Old Station. for Real Ale, end of August 2013 © l 3 Oct: Cask Ale Week Crawl, start Barley Mow 7pm then Volunteer Next edition: end of November 2013 (probably). Tavern, Bridge Inn, Cornubia and Seven Stars. Spread the word: any article in this publication may be reproduced l 6 Oct: Cask Ale Week Crawl, start Bag of Nails 2pm then Three Tuns, provided the source (Pints West), including the contributor’s name No 1 Harbourside, Naval Volunteer and Beer Emporium. where applicable, is stated. (No using logos or artwork without prior l Wed 9 Oct: Committee Meeting, Gryphon 8pm. permission.) l Tues 15 Oct: Surveying/Explorer Trip, Severn Vale area, dep Cornubia Subscriptions: to be put on a mailing list (for UK addresses) send ten 6.45pm. l Sat 19 Oct: BADRAG Porter Trail in city centre pubs, likely to be an standard 1st class stamps to the editor. early afternoon start, tbc. CAMRA Good Beer Guide: suggestions for future entries, and l Sun 20 Oct: Surveying/Explorer Trip, Winterbourne, Frampton, Sod- comments on existing ones, can be made to our GBG co-ordinator, bury area, dep Cornubia 1.30pm, return 8pm. Vince Murray: [email protected]. l Wed 23 Oct: Branch Meeting, 7.30pm, venue tbc. Further information on all aspects of CAMRA can be had from Ray l 2 Nov: Bristol Pubs Group social crawl, starting 1pm at the Port of Call, Holmes on 0117 9605357 (home). Clifton, then Beaufort, Coach & Horses, Red Lion, Jersey Lily, Blackboy, Trading Standards Officers: contact for problems such as consistent Penny Farthing, Alma Tavern, WG Grace, Vittoria. short measures, no price lists... l 6 Nov: Survey/Explorer Trip, East Mendips, Hallatrow, Clutton, etc, dep Bristol: 0117 9223444 / S. Glos: 01454 624000 Cornubia 6.45pm. Glos: 01452 426201 / N. Somerset: 01934 888802 l 12 Nov: Committee Meeting, Gryphon 8pm. l Tues 19 Nov: Surveying/Explorer Trip, West Mendips, Cheddar, Cross, B.A.N.E.S: 01225 396755 etc, dep Cornubia 6.45pm. or visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk l Thurs 21 Nov: BADRAG tutored bottled beer tasting, Kings Arms, Design & Layout: Steve Plumridge. Kingswood, 7.30 pm, tbc. Printed by Caric Press Limited (www.caricpress.co.uk). l Wed 27 Nov: Quarterly Branch Meeting, 7.30pm, venue tbc. l Thurs 28 Nov: Bristol Pubs Group meeting, Robin Hood, St Michael’s Hill, Kingsdown, 7pm. Bath & Borders diary Please check our website (www.camrabristol.org.uk) or sign up to our l Thurs 5th Sept, 8:30pm: A social at the Salamander, Bath, then yahoo group for the latest information and more details on any of the above maybe the Raven. events, as sometimes events can change after press date – or email Andy l Tues 10th Sept, 8:30pm: A social at the Plough at Bradford Leigh, just Gray at [email protected] for the latest information. Please north of Bradford on Avon. note that all coach and brewery trips must be booked in advance, either by l Thurs 19th Sept, 8:30pm: A social at the Tuckers Grave Inn, email, or in person at a branch meeting. Andy Gray (Social Secretary) Faulkland. l Tues 24th Sept, 8:30pm: The Branch Meeting at the Fox and Hounds, Warminster. l Tues 1st Oct, 8:30pm: A social at the Three Daggers, Edington. Twitter & Facebook See www.bathandborderscamra.org.uk/events for further diary dates. You can follow Bristol & District CAMRA on Twitter. Use @CAMRABristol to get the latest tweets Bath & Borders contacts about branch news and activities. The branch is Branch socials contact: Denis Rahilly on 01225 791399 or 07711 also on Facebook as Camra-Bristol-District. 004501, email [email protected]. Contact for all non-social matters: James Honey on 01373 822794. Thanks to this issue’s contributors Weston diary and contact Ali Bridle Lesly Huxley Robin E Wild See page 29 Bob Reynolds Martin Farrimond Roy Sanders Chris Rogers Martin Gray Steve Hunt Dr John Mike Jackson Talisha Mills Severn Vale diary and contact Duncan Shine Mike Lawrence Tim Belsten See page 34 Eddie Taberner Nigel Morris Tim Nickolls Ian Beckey Pete Bridle Tom Chapman Jerry Fletcher Pete Taberner Vince Murray Views expressed in Pints West are those of the individual authors and Jo Vansittart Ray Holmes Editor: not necessarily supported by CAMRA. Keith Shapland Richard Brooks Steve Plumridge Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by CAMRA. Page 39 PINTS WEST

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